This week, the National Government announced that civil associations, including football clubs, could transition to corporations. In response, the Argentine Football Association (AFA) issued a statement explaining that while clubs are free to make this change, they will not be allowed to compete in AFA tournaments. Former Argentine national team player Sergio “Kun” Agüero weighed in on the debate regarding Sports Corporations (SAD) and expressed his reluctance to support them “for personal gain.”
In a statement released this Friday, the AFA clarified that the government’s modifications “do not oblige or affect the AFA’s bylaws. To be a member of the AFA, it remains a mandatory requirement to be a ‘Non-Profit Civil Association,’ as freely decided by the member entities of AFA.”
Furthermore, the AFA stressed that they are not against SADs per se, but stated: “However, what AFA and its member entities oppose, because it is clearly unconstitutional, is being forced to associate with entities of a different legal structure than their current members, in contradiction to their statutes as established by their members. The federal court has partially ruled in favor of this specific point. For example, it would be like a decree from the executive branch attempting to force shareholders of a private commercial entity to associate with other shareholders for the current government’s private interests.”
Authoritarians dislike this stance because professional and critical journalism is a fundamental pillar of democracy, which challenges those who believe they own the truth.
Another instance was cited involving the Assembly of the Centro de Fomento Social y Deportivo José Hernández, which considered transitioning to private ownership, but the Provincial Directorate of Legal Entities declared their formation irregular and ineffective. “In conclusion, the generic changes introduced by the IGJ for civil associations exclusively in the City of Buenos Aires do not affect or modify the requirements for AFA-member clubs. According to the AFA’s assembly (the highest governing body), member clubs must remain non-profit civil associations with recognized legal status,” concluded the statement.
Claudio “Chiqui” Tapia, the president of the AFA, took to X (formerly Twitter) to say: “At the AFA, only non-profit civil associations are allowed. We met with the Executive Committee of @afa and @LigaAFA in Ezeiza to clarify the unchangeability of the Statute concerning the SAD.” This was his first statement since the Government’s announcement through the Official Gazette.
Before Tapia, AFA treasurer Pablo Toviggino had expressed his views on social media: “Good grief! What a mess this Minister is!! Are you really going to keep talking about Dollars and SADs?? Are you going to use Clubs as collateral for a loan?? Better yet, inform @FMInoticias!! Maybe you’ll get Greenbacks in Blue!! Oh well!,” he criticized Justice Minister Mariano Cúneo Libarona.
The AFA and the Government are at odds following Argentina’s national team winning back-to-back championships.
President Javier Milei had already made his position clear during the Copa America, questioning why AFA allows players from SAD clubs if it opposes them. “Is it because results matter and SADs have the best players?” He concluded his attack: “No more socialist poverty in football.”
What did “Kun” Agüero say about SADs?
In a conversation with streamer and influencer Coscu, the former Argentina national team and Manchester City player spoke in favor of SADs but voiced similar criticisms to Milei, implying there were interests beyond the benefit of the clubs.
“Private capital will be beneficial. But it’s not explained well. Ultimately, for clubs to be private, they need to vote. If the members say no, it’s no, and that’s it. If they say yes, it’s private. End of story, no more bla bla bla, ‘the club is mine…’ Just give people the opportunity to vote and decide,” he said.
“What’s the matter? Are they scared? What’s happening? They’re scared because there are personal benefits involved,” said the former Independiente of Avellaneda player, according to a video released by CORTA. The battle over SADs is just beginning.
