Claudio 'Chiqui' Tapia, the president of the Argentine Football Association (AFA), has filed a request to annul his summons to give a statement as a suspect in a tax evasion case. The case, overseen by Judge Diego Amarante, involves accusations against Tapia and other AFA officials, including treasurer Pablo Toviggino and directors Cristian Malaspina and Gustavo Lorenzo, concerning a tax claim amounting to 19 billion pesos related to the organization’s unpaid employer contributions and taxes.

In his legal submission, Tapia argued that the summons violates constitutional guarantees pertaining to due process and the right to legal defense. The issue at hand is whether the allegations constitute a crime; the decision is still pending in the Court of Appeals. Tapia's legal strategy appears to focus on protecting his rights and securing his position within the AFA amidst mounting pressure from the authorities regarding financial conduct within the organization.

This development highlights the ongoing scrutiny of financial practices in Argentine football, which continues to face challenges relating to transparency and accountability. The outcome of Tapia’s request could set a significant precedent for how similar cases are handled in sports administration in Argentina, particularly given the high-profile nature of the individuals involved and the substantial financial implications related to tax obligations.