The Argentine government's Instituto Nacional de Asociativismo y Economía Social (INAES) has announced the suspension of two cooperatives as a preventive measure amidst investigations into a network of businesses and financial entities allegedly involved in moving illicit funds associated with the Argentine Football Association (AFA). One cooperative, the Cooperativa de Vivienda, Crédito y Consumo Libertador General San Martín Limitada, will have a formal inquiry opened against it while the other, the Cooperativa de Crédito, Consumo y Viviendas Fénix Ltda, is set to be suspended from credit operations due to its connections to a mysterious financier known as 'Fiño', who is implicated in recordings linked to AFA officials.

The INAES's actions come as part of a broader crackdown on financial irregularities within the AFA, which is led by Claudio “Chiqui” Tapia. This effort is aligned with ongoing investigations carried out by the Agencia de Recaudación y Control Aduanero (ARCA) and the Inspección General de Justicia (IGJ). Authorities are probing these cooperatives as they appear to be integral components of a complex external financial circuit that may have funneled illicit money into the AFA, raising serious questions about financial governance and the potential for systemic corruption within Argentine football.

This development reflects the Argentine government's commitment to addressing corruption within sports organizations and signals a significant move towards transparency and accountability in the financial operations of the AFA. As investigations continue, further revelations about the financial management of Argentine football are anticipated, which could have lasting implications for the credibility of the sport in the country and beyond.