Buried Money and Luxury Cars.. Argentine Football Shaken by a Stunning Scandal

The case began with a mysterious tweet posted by retired Argentine football star Carlos Tevez in March 2024, hinting at suspicious activity in a suburb of Buenos Aires.

Tevez claimed that the treasurer of the Argentine Football Association was making frequent trips to the Pilar suburb, talking about bags of money being buried in the ground and a collection of old cars hidden away from sight.

That hint was enough to ignite one of the most serious crises that Argentine football has faced in recent years.

Mysterious Villa Under Scrutiny

Following Tevez's post, the Progressive Civic Coalition party took action and opened an official investigation, filing a criminal complaint centered around a luxury villa in the Pilar area, suspected of being used as a front for money laundering.
As the World Cup approached, suspicions grew regarding the involvement of prominent figures within the football federation in a case that threatens the reputation of the current world champion.

Widespread Raids and Financial Investigations

In early December, Argentine police conducted simultaneous raids that included the headquarters of the Argentine Football Association and more than 12 clubs, as part of an extensive investigation into money laundering and suspicious financial transfers linked to the clubs and a financial services company.
Just three days later, police raided the Pilar villa, revealing shocking surprises.

Helipad and 54 Cars

Inside the villa, authorities found a helipad, horse stables, and 54 vehicles, including luxury and rare cars such as Ferraris and Porsches, which heightened suspicions about the sources of the money used to acquire these properties.
The Progressive Civic Coalition claims that the property represents a front for a money laundering scheme linked to the president of the Argentine Football Association, Claudio Tapia, and his treasurer, Pablo Toviggino.

New Tax Charges

In a parallel development, La Nacion reported that the prosecutor filed new charges last week against Tapia, Toviggino, and other officials in the federation, related to the illegal retention of taxes amounting to $13 million, following a complaint from the Argentine tax agency.
Response from the Federation: Political Attack
For its part, the Argentine Football Association responded with a statement considering the ongoing situation to be an organized campaign led by the government of President Javier Milei, aimed at pressuring clubs to transition from non-profit institutions to private commercial companies.
The federation affirmed:

“We are on the right track,”

showcasing the sporting achievements since Tapia took over the presidency of the federation in 2017, including the 2022 World Cup.

Evidence Inside the Villa

According to court documents, authorities seized a black bag bearing the logo of the Argentine federation and Toviggino's name, along with football books and a commemorative plaque in his name.
Informed sources also confirmed that Toviggino's relatives hold permits to drive several of the seized vehicles, which further intensified the suspicions surrounding the case.
Half a Billion Dollars Under Question
In a serious development, the Ministry of Justice demanded explanations from the Argentine Football Association and the Premier League regarding accounting statements approaching half a billion dollars dating back to 2017.
Daniel Vitolo, head of the ministry's Inspector General's Office, stated:
“If the federation's accounts are sound, why don't they explain figures that are very easy to clarify?”

Football in the Dock

Amidst the achievements on the pitch and legal files, Argentine football today stands before an unprecedented test, which may determine the future of its management and place one of the most successful football federations in the world under the scrutiny of justice, in a scandal whose chapters are still unfolding.