The pyramid of power he built Claudio Tapia It has strong political foundations. Despite the place that each of the leaders who accompany him occupies in Argentine football, there are names that have a specific weight at provincial levels. The president of the AFA knew how to establish strategic links through its relationship with Hugo Moyanohis former father-in-law, who opened the doors of Ceamse, a public company that is responsible for the comprehensive management of urban solid waste.
Later, in his current role, he built a network of contacts that included a key point guard: Pablo Tovigginotrusted man of Chiqui and the governor of Santiago del Estero, Gerardo Zamora.
However, during these hours Tapia strengthens another alliance with the objective of resisting the advance of the Sports Joint Stock Companies. He clings to Kirchnerism, especially Axel Kicillofpresident of the Province of Buenos Aires. And it has nothing to do with football, a sport that Cristina’s former Minister of Economy does not like even remotely. Chiqui and Kichi – almost an anagram – are united by an open confrontation with Javier Miley.
In that sense, The Buenos Aires territory could be a refuge for the AFAwho will seek to move its headquarters from Viamonte 1366 to the Ezeiza property to escape the zone of influence of the General Inspection of Justice of the Nation and be under the wing of the Directorate of Legal Entities of La Plata, where the mayor July Wine will receive them with a red carpet.
Who is who in the AFA
Tapia is not alone in the photo, of course. On Monday, when the AFA communications department published the single list, The names of the 31 leaders who will accompany him were known.
Juan Roman Riquelme appears as the first of the six vice presidents who second it. Beyond the fact that there is no order of priorities, and that the place of Boca It could have to do with a purely alphabetical issue, it is a nod to the idol of Don Torcuato. In the end, even though Chiqui has gained momentum since Central Tentshis heart is blue and gold.
And just as Román knew how to throw pipes, this week he threw flowers at the president of the AFA. He described it as “one of the best leaders in the world”. They both have a common enemy: Mauricio Macrinothing less. The engineer has already made mea culpa for having paved Tapia’s way to the chair. Julio Grondona with the doll Daniel Angelici. It was during his tenure in the Casa Rosada, when he tried to make good friends with Moyano.
But there are two other important men. Both respond to the Buenos Aires governor. It is about Carlos Mountainvice president of Independent, and Mariano Cowenpresident of Gimnasia.
The leader of Rojo is in charge of the Security Policy Coordination Unit of the Ministry of Security of the Province. He is part of a Board of Directors whose head is Nestor GrindettiJorge Macri’s Chief of Staff in the City of Buenos Aires and Kicillof’s rival in last year’s elections, but who is far from agreeing with the PRO.
Cowen is the administrator of the La Plata Racecourse. He was appointed by Kicillof himself and is in the crosshairs of Justice, as published by the NOVA Agency, for diversion of funds and ghost advisors.
The rest
There were 29 leaders in the photo. The people from Santiago were not there Guillermo Raedpresident of Miter who gave up his place as vice president, and himself Riquelmewho accused “scheduling problems.” The AFA made a montage with Photoshop that it later deleted. The image was unprofessional.
Javier Treuque. Leader of the Chubut Valley Football League will be one of the vice presidents. Born 59 years ago in Rawson, he is secretary general of the Federal Council.
Cristian Malaspina. President of Argentinos Juniors. He has a degree in Marketing and an entrepreneur in the computer industry. He will be a regular member.
Fabian Berlanga. President of Velez. He is a businessman, he will be vocal and has another ally of Kicillof in his formula: Augusto Costa, Buenos Aires Minister of Innovation.
Gabriel Greco. President of Atlanta. When the AFA reversed the promotion due to the pandemic, it chose a different path than San Martín de Tucumán, which it complained to the TAS. Loyalty gave the leader a position in Conmebol and a vice presidency in Viamonte.
Carlos Pandolfi. President of Ferro and linked to Kirchnerism. He was investigated for money laundering in 2020. He achieved million-dollar contracts at INCAA. He will be a substitute member.
Jorge Miadosqui. President of San Martín de San Juan. He serves as Secretary of National Teams and will also be a substitute member.
Luis Artime. President of Belgrano. The former forward supports Tapia and declared himself against private capital, a shout-out to Andrés Fassi, owner of Talleres.
Dante Major. He was president of Division D, which merged with C. He is in charge of AFA children’s football. Tapista of the first hour.
Carlos Mountain. Vice President of Independiente, official of the Ministry of Security of the Province of Buenos Aires. He will be one of the six vice presidents of the AFA.
Marcelo Achilles. President of Defenders of Belgrano. Peronist militant, friend of former President Alberto Fernández and link with the AFA during times of pandemic. Title member.
Pablo Toviggino. The heaviest man in the AFA, political arm of the AFA. He manages the cash register as treasurer and also the referees. He was born in Rosario, but resides in Santiago del Estero, where he established a strong bond with Zamora.
Juan Manuel Cavagliatto. At 37 years old, he is the youngest president in the history of the Institute and, currently, of the First Division. Tapia’s personal friend, he knew how to do great management in Alta Córdoba. He will be vocal.
Claudio Tapia. President of the AFA. Vice President of Conmebol. At 56 years old, he holds power in Argentine soccer.
Victor White. President of Racing. General Secretary of the AFA. He will retain his position in the Viamonte structure, even if he loses the elections with Diego Milito. For a time, he was in charge of the referees. He is one of the most powerful leaders.
Ignacio Astore. President of Newell’s. In March there was a flirtation with Mauricio Macri that made noise in the AFA. Then, controversial arbitrations. Finally, the doctor moved closer and returned to the Tapista fold. He will be a substitute member.
Ignacio Villarroel. Second vice president of River and right now, of the AFA. Jorge Brito’s man, the lawyer is the millionaire leader closest to the Viamonte leadership.
Maximiliano Levy. President of Admiral Brown. Former Boca bar, friend of Tapia, one of his main defenders. He will be pro-executive secretary.
Javier Mendez Cartier. He is the youngest president of Argentine football. Graduated from the Di Tella University and with a master’s degree in San Andrés, he is 32 years old and is a project coordinator in Congress. Substitute member.
David Garzon. Vice President of Huracán. He dethroned Alejandro Nadur three years ago and joined the ranks of the AFA. He has support from another political actor, Héctor Daer, boss of the CGT.
Mariano Cowen. President of Gymnastics. Racecourse Administrator appointed by Axel Kicillof. From the Kirchnerist kidney, the first member, a message for Estudiantes, who was displaced.
Mario Javier Echeverría. President of the San Luis League. Secretary of Extension and Linkage of the Provincial University of Trades, he came to light in December 2022 because he traveled to the Qatar World Cup without registration of a license. Substitute member.
Luis Chebel. President of Lanús, he has the blessing of Nicolás Russo, former garnet and massista boss. He will be executive secretary.
Maria Sylvia Jimenez. She is the only woman on the list. President of the Catamarca Football League, she is a lawyer and works in the Municipality of Catamarca. Title member.
Eduardo Spinosa. President of Banfield. He was the creator of the political space of Marcelo Tinelli in the times from 38 to 38. With weight in the structure of the Professional League. Substitute member.
Gonzalo Belloso. President of Rosario Central. He was a leader of Conmebol, he is a member of vital importance in the link between the AFA and the organization chaired by Alejandro Domínguez.
Luciano Nakis. Armenian President. Jeweler and business development entrepreneur. Son of Noray, former leader of Independiente. Sadly famous for drying the back of Tapia’s neck during the Copa América. He will support Blanco as pro-secretary.
Gabriel Pendres. Vice President of Sol de Mayo de Viedma. Assemblyman of the Federal Council. Title member.
José Luis Coutinho. President of Deportivo Merlo, another of the Ascenso leaders closest to Tapia. Substitute member.
Javier Marin. Vice president of Acassuso with more than 30 years in football, to the point of being a kidney man from Grondona to becoming one of Chiqui’s dolphins. Title member.
Juan Roman Riquelme. President of Boca and with a great role in Tapia’s list, since he appears as the first vice. The former hooker generated a close bond with the AFA boss. He spoke out against the SAD.