The Argentine Football Association (AFA) and Liga Profesional decided to suspend local football matches in defense of their president, Claudio “Chiqui” Tapia, amid a tax evasion investigation. The measure will affect the ninth round of the 2026 Apertura Tournament and other matches in various categories. Several leaders expressed support, while others denounced external pressures.
The AFA pushed for a strike in Argentine football to support its president, Claudio “Chiqui” Tapia, and treasurer Pablo Toviggino, who must appear before Judge Diego Amarante that same week on alleged tax evasion charges. The AFA Executive Committee's decision was backed by Liga Profesional, which suspended the ninth round of the 2026 Apertura Tournament in first division, along with all matches in various local categories.
Vélez president Fabián Berlanga addressed the measure and denounced government persecution against Tapia. “It is a decision that the clubs took amid the investigation,” he stated to TN. Meanwhile, TV host and former Boca vice president Mario Pergolini expressed surprise at the AFA-called strike to support Tapia.
Liga Cordobesa fully adhered to the resolution, announcing it would not start its tournament in support of Tapia. “The measure adopted responds to the decision taken by the AFA Executive Committee, to which this league fully adheres, with a clear institutional support gesture,” the official statement highlights. No specific dates beyond the ninth round are mentioned, but the strike will occur that weekend.
