Judge Carlos Mahiques announced his resignation from the case related to a significant scandal involving the Argentine Football Association (AFA) after media reports revealed that he celebrated his 74th birthday at a luxurious estate in Pilar, attributed to AFA president Claudio 'Chiqui' Tapia and his collaborator Pablo Toviggino. This peculiar absence from the federal courthouse sparked interest and speculation about Mahiques' involvement in the case. Mahiques did not provide any clarifications or apologies in his resignation, which has further raised questions regarding his ties to the case's subjects.

The revelation came shortly after an article by journalist Hugo Alconada Mon from La Nacion highlighted the events surrounding the lavish birthday party. Mahiques was a part of the highest criminal court in Argentina (the Cámara de Casación) that is supposed to handle the case, leading many to scrutinize his impartiality. Although Mahiques's exit from the case may be seen as a step towards ensuring fairness in judicial proceedings, it simultaneously casts a shadow over the integrity of the judiciary, given the apparent connections between judges and key figures in the sports industry.

This incident signals a troubling intersection of sports, politics, and the judiciary in Argentina, amplifying the ongoing debate about transparency and accountability in both legal and athletic institutions. The continuing fallout from this scandal may prompt calls for reforms in how judicial appointments and conflicts of interest are handled, emphasizing the need for clear separation between judicial roles and external influences in maintaining the rule of law.