By Andrew Warshaw
August 28 – The Federal Administration of Public Income (AFIP), Argentina’s national tax agency, has suspended almost 150 football agents as part of a detailed investigation into alleged tax evasion involving player transfers to overseas clubs.
In what could have widespread ramifications globally, the authorities have written to Argentine Football Association (AFA) President Julio Grondona and FIFA President Sepp Blatter asking them not to approve the moves because of commissions that were allegedly not declared.
“This investigation is into the businessmen of football,” AFIP chief Ricardo Echegaray was quoted as saying by Reuters.
“[The AFIP] suspended 146 footballer representatives and go-betweens with an irregular fiscal situation since they have not declared the corresponding commission charged for the operations they took part in.”
The AFIP has apparently also suspended a number of players whose transfers have come under suspicion.
One so-called three-way transfer highlighted in recent weeks focused on Jonathan Bottinelli (pictured top) who joined newly promoted River Plate from fellow top-flight team San Lorenzo during the close-season in a transfer involving Unión San Felipe, a Chilean club the defender has never played for.
Another case involves midfielder Ignacio Piatti (pictured above, in stripes), who joined San Lorenzo from Italian club Lecce via Sud América, of the Uruguayan second division, where he has never played either.
Echegaray said the AFIP had created a mechanism whereby transfers had to be studied for their transparency before they went through.
Grondona told state news agency Telam he was pleased that such an investigation is being carried out: “We always wanted clarity.”
With so many players transferred from South America to Europe and with monies agents receive under increasing spotlight, the Argentine inquiry will create considerable interest throughout Europe particularly with regard to unlicensed middlemen who try to cash in.
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