The Argentine Football Association (AFA) has rejected reports that president Claudio Tapia and treasurer Pablo Toviggino were ordered to appear before US courts, Reuters reported.AFA acknowledged that a third party had been summoned to appear before a US grand jury. (REUTERS)AFA denies summon claimsThe AFA has described the reports as "completely untrue", strongly denying that either official had been summoned by US authorities."It is absolutely false to claim that Claudio Tapia or Pablo Toviggino have been summoned to testify by the United States justice system. It is also false to claim that their cell phones or any other electronic devices have been seized," the association said in a statement.Third party summonedThe federation did acknowledge that a third party had been summoned to appear before a US grand jury and could be asked to provide evidence concerning several individuals, including officials from the organization.Also read: Fresh Lionel Messi locker-room clip sparks wild World Cup final theory: ‘Was something already off?’However, it did not identify the individual and emphasized that neither Tapia nor Toviggino was the subject of the legal action.Federation counters Infobae reportThe controversy emerged after Argentine outlet Infobae reported that the two AFA officials had been stopped by federal agents at John F. Kennedy International Airport on Monday morning before boarding their flight following the World Cup final.According to the report, authorities requested access to Tapia's electronic devices and questioned both officials while they were on the airport tarmac.Also read: FIFA deletes red card given to Argentina's Leandro Paredes for jabbing Spain's Eric Garcia, no disciplinary action yetThe AFA, however, rejected those claims, stating "The document in question does not impose any personal measure on the President of the AFA or its Treasurer, does not order their appearance, does not impose any procedural obligation on them, and does not record any seizure or confiscation of property belonging to them."Investigation centers on commercial dealsInfobae further reported that U.S. investigators are examining more than $300 million in AFA-related commercial agreements as part of broader scrutiny into Argentine football finances following December money-laundering raids.Reuters also reported that, according to an airport witness, federal agents spoke with Tapia and Toviggino for roughly 30 minutes aboard a bus parked on the tarmac before the Argentine delegation departed.Also read: Argentina coach apologises for Dani Olmo punch, reveals what sparked ugly World Cup final confrontationThe Port Authority of New York and New Jersey referred Reuters' inquiries to the FBI, which declined to comment on the matter.
Argentina FA breaks silence on president Claudio Tapia US court summon claims, ‘False to claim that their cell phones…’
A report earlier claimed that two AFA officials were stopped by federal agents at New York's JFK Airport after the World Cup final before their departure.











