Claudio Tapia has been re-elected as President of the Argentine Football Association (AFA) for a term lasting until 2028. The decision was made during the AFA’s General Assembly at the Lionel Andrés Messi complex in Ezeiza, where Tapia’s leadership was approved by the majority of the voting members. The new Executive Committee includes Juan Román Riquelme, representing Boca Juniors, and Ignacio Villarroel, representing River Plate, as vice presidents.

Out of 46 voting representatives, 45 attended the assembly, with Estudiantes de La Plata being the only absentee. Tapia’s re-election was confirmed with 44 votes in favor. Talleres, represented by Rodrigo Escribano, voted against all points on the agenda and had earlier attempted to block the election through a legal challenge filed with the Inspección General de Justicia (IGJ), though the attempt was not successful.

In his acceptance speech, Tapia thanked the assembly members for their support and noted that the re-election marked an important day for the process of democratization within Argentine football. He also discussed progress made during his previous term, including the end of the FIFA and CONMEBOL-imposed intervention in AFA’s governance.

Under Tapia’s leadership, the Argentine national football team achieved several victories, including the Copa América in 2021 and 2024, the 2022 FIFA World Cup in Qatar, and the 2022 Finalissima. Argentina’s youth teams won eight titles, including the U-15 and U-17 South American Championships in 2017 and 2019, and the U-20 COTIF L’Alcudia Tournament in 2018.

During Tapia’s tenure, AFA also carried out infrastructure projects, such as the renovation of its training complex in Ezeiza, which was renamed the Lionel Andrés Messi complex.

Tapia’s new term as AFA president will run from October 2024 to October 2028.

(Info provided by: Doble Amarilla)