Argentine football’s governing body is at the centre of controversy after its disciplinary tribunal slapped Estudiantes de la Plata with a harsh penalty for an apparent lack of sportsmanship.
On Thursday, the disciplinary tribunal of the Argentine Football Association (AFA) – led by powerful president Claudio ‘Chiqui’ Tapia – sanctioned Estudiantes, club president Juan Sebastián Verón and the side’s players for turning their backs on Rosario Central during the planned guard of honour ahead of their Clausura match last Sunday.
Estudiantes’ first team refused to salute Central, the newly crowned league champions – at least, according to AFA – before the start of their last-16 knockout match.
The Pincha defeated the Canalla 1–0 away from home at the Gigante de Arroyito stadium to progress to the next round.
Initially, the visiting side had lined up to form the traditional guard of honour, but its players suddenly turned their backs as the Rosario side’s players came out of the tunnel.
The decision to punish the La Plata-based side has laid bare the tensions behind domestic football and placed Tapia, AFA’s powerful president, in the spotlight.
According to the AFA tribunal’s ruling, the governing body has imposed “a two-match suspension on the Estudiantes players who took part in the tribute guard and adopted the reproachable behaviour” – i.e. the entire match-day squad.
The suspension will apply for the next domestic competition the La Plata-based club takes part in, meaning it will not affect Saturday’s quarter-final against Central Córdoba.
Verón – who starred for the Albiceleste and played for several top sides in a glittering career – received a six-month suspension from “all football-related activities.” The ex-Manchester United midfielder is regarded as the leading opponent of AFA’s current leadership.
Club captain Santiago Núñez, a central defender, has been banned from wearing the armband for three months, while the club must pay a fine equivalent to 4,000 match tickets, each costing around US$20.
Club reaction
Estudiantes issued a statement on social media after the sanctions were announced, defending its position and saying it was assessing measures “in defence of the institution and its members.”
The board also expressed its “full support” for Verón, Núñez and the entire squad, and the club is now weighing potential legal action as the dispute continues to escalate.
The snub to Rosario Central – quickly dubbed “pasillo-gate” by fans and the sporting press – was a protest against the AFA’s unexpected decision last Thursday to award Ángel Di María’s club a new title for finishing top of the aggregate table for the season.
The decision, absent from the original regulations, drew widespread criticism of the AFA and its leader.
Even so, in the aftermath of the controversy, dozens of clubs – mainly from the second and third tiers – expressed their support on social media for Tapia, who holds significant influence in the lower divisions.
Tapia has overseen a glorious spell for AFA and the national side, which has claimed two Copa América titles and won the last World Cup in Qatar. The Albiceleste are due to defend their crown in this year’s tournament, which will be hosted by Canada, Mexico and the United States.
Milei cancels trip
Cabinet Chief Manuel Adorni announced Thursday that President Milei had decided to cancel his planned trip to Washington DC to attend the draw for the 2026 World Cup, scheduled for December 5.
“The President has decided not to make the planned trip to attend the World Cup draw,” said the official.
Adorni announced the decision in a written statement, stating Milei would not participate in the event organised by FIFA, which is expected to have US President Donald Trump as the guest of honour.
Milei has been a fierce critic of Tapia, often posting critical messages on his social media accounts. Earlier this week, he posted an image of an Estudiantes shirt in the Casa Rosada, taking the club’s side in the row.
The surprise cancellation of his trip to Washington is a “silent response” to the furore, government officials told the Noticias Argentinas news agency on Friday.
Tapia has also been linked by the local press to a financial firm Sur Finanzas, which is facing an investigation into alleged money-laundering.
The DGI tax authority, or Dirección General Impositiva, has accused the firm – which has sponsored AFA competitions and several domestic clubs – of large-scale tax evasion and money-laundering.
The complaint, filed on November 25 with Federal Prosecutor’s Office No. 2 in Lomas de Zamora, alleges that the company avoided paying more than 3.3 billion pesos in cheque tax between 2022 and 2025 and operated a structure to launder funds through its virtual wallet, moving an estimated 818 billion pesos.
Tapia and his lieutenant, Pablo Toviggino, have also been accused by rival fans of influencing referees in order to benefit the club at which Tapia made his name, Barracas Central.
– TIMES/AFP/NA
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