Federal police raided the headquarters of the Argentine Football Association (AFA) and more than 30 soccer clubs as part of an investigation into alleged money laundering involving a key sponsor of the game, CNN said.
The case is focused on the financial firm Sur Finanzas, described as one of the main sponsors of Argentine football’s governing body. Authorities believe the company may be exploiting its role as a sponsor and financial services provider to launder illicit proceeds through club contracts, according to the report, which noted that the raids targeted the AFA’s offices in Buenos Aires as well as clubs across multiple divisions.
Video recorded by CNN and local affiliate TN showed uniformed federal officers entering and leaving the AFA building in the capital, carrying out boxes and moving through offices as part of the court-ordered searches.
According to a source familiar with the matter, the investigation began with suspicions over Sur Finanzas’ contract with Club Atlético Banfield. Authorities first raided Banfield and Sur Finanzas, and documents seized in those operations allegedly linked the firm to other clubs in different divisions, CNN said.
As investigators followed those leads, Judge Luis Armella approved more than 30 additional raids to determine whether similar irregularities exist in other sponsorship and financial contracts between Sur Finanzas and clubs.
Sur Finanzas, which has become a prominent player in the sport through sponsorship deals, rejected the allegations in a statement last week, insisting that all services are provided “in compliance with current regulations” and calling the accusations “unfounded,” according to the report.
Banfield said in a statement it would cooperate fully with the investigation.
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