Argentine Football Association faces police investigation for money laundering

CNN first reported that Federal Judge Luis Armella had ordered the probe. The investigation focuses on potential money laundering involving the financial company Sur Finanzas, one of AFA’s main sponsors. CNN also released footage taken on Tuesday showing federal police entering AFA’s building in Buenos Aires.

The investigation began after suspicions emerged regarding Sur Finanzas’ contract with Club Atlético Banfield, one of Argentina’s oldest clubs. During the inquiry, police found documents linking the company to several clubs across different divisions in the country.

Following those findings, authorities approved more than 30 additional raids on Tuesday to verify the information. Sur Finanzas has responded to the situation, claiming that the accusations are unfounded.

Club Atlético Banfield also issued a statement addressing the investigation: “Banfield is currently under investigation, which includes a series of raids stemming from an inquiry by Federal Criminal and Correctional Court No. 2 of Lomas de Zamora, regarding activities carried out between 2019 and 2023. The club has offered its full cooperation to the justice system, providing everything necessary for the investigation to proceed.”

Multiple clubs, including Racing, San Lorenzo, and Independiente, have also released statements acknowledging the probe.

AFA itself responded with an official announcement:

 “Today, in the context of an investigation involving the company Sur Finanzas, judicial officials arrived at the headquarters of the Professional Football League (LPF) seeking documentation related to the case. As expected, the LPF immediately made itself available and cooperated fully with the authorities.”

The statement clarified that Sur Finanzas holds only a commercial contract with the LPF as a sponsor of competitions and that all advertising activity has strictly followed the terms of the agreement. “The Professional League will continue to be available to provide any documentation and facilitate any legal proceedings that may clarify the situation,” the statement added.