FBI investigates Argentine Football Association over alleged money laundering

The investigation surfaces amid Argentina-Egypt refereeing controversy

FIFA World Cup 2026 - Round of 16 - Argentina v Egypt - Atlanta Stadium, Atlanta, Georgia, US - Jul 7, 2026 A member of Egypt's coaching staff is shown a red card by referee Francois Letexier REUTERS/Paul Childs

The FBI opens a probe into the Argentine Football Association's (AFA) financial dealings in the US, Argentine daily La Nacion reports.

Investigators are examining whether AFA, led by President Claudio Tapia, moved money through the US financial system in ways that could constitute money laundering or fraud, the report says.

Agents are trying to trace how the funds were channelled and whether any laws were breached, according to Spanish daily Marca.

The report surfaces amid separate controversy over refereeing in Argentina's World Cup 2026 last-16 win over Egypt.

A Florida-based firm, TourProdEnter LLC, handles AFA's overseas finances and is now under scrutiny, La Nacion says.

Citing internal documents, the paper reports two people linked to the firm moved hundreds of millions of dollars through accounts at five US banks, including Citibank, Bank of America, JPMorgan and PNC.

The company handled about $260 million in AFA-linked revenue, though only part of it matches identifiable running costs, the report says.

Another $57 million reportedly went to companies and individuals with no clear financial rationale, some tied to people who received welfare benefits and lived in Bariloche or Buenos Aires.

Tapia has faced scrutiny before, including a tax evasion charge in March and a running dispute with President Javier Milei over club ownership rules.