The Argentine Football Association Reaffirms Opposition to Privatization
In a meeting led by Claudio Tapia, the involved institutions reaffirmed their clear stance against any move toward privatization. The 2023 Ordinary Meeting of the Argentine Football Association, held on November 23 in Ezeiza, echoed the clubs concerns raised in the weeks preceding the second round of elections that brought Javier Milei to the presidency. The central message was a firm dismissal of the idea of transforming clubs into Sports Joint Stock Companies.
With delegates from forty five institutions present, and the absence of Workshops, which supports management changes, Tapia praised the visible unity in the room. He highlighted the public display of opposition to the SAD and acknowledged that the clubs carry out essential duties as civic associations. He stressed that the majority of clubs operate under statutes that do not permit structural changes toward a company model for their entities.
Earlier, on November 10, the clubs began voicing their rejection of an idea publicly proposed by Javier Milei and previously suggested by Mauricio Macri during his tenure as Boca Juniors president. In recent hours the AFA had floated a plan for each club to hold its own referendum to allow members to decide whether to consider privatization. Yet the atmosphere ahead of the next major meeting remained resolutely in favor of the leadership led by the Motherhouse, with broad show of support evident among participants.
In a separate note linked to the leadership battle at Boca Juniors, the vice president candidate was described with a notable self-characterization as unforgivable. He recalled that Argentine football has seen significant success over the past six years and attributed current revenues to populist measures, framing these as part of a broader political approach rather than a purely sporting policy. The remarks underscored the ongoing tension between governance and public support within the sport across the country. This narrative reflects the broader debate about how clubs should be managed and funded within the national sports framework, and the role of public sentiment in shaping institutional decisions.
For followers and analysts, the core takeaway remains a clear consensus against privatization within Argentine football. The event reinforced the expectation that the AFA will prioritize the existing civil structure of football clubs and their role as community-based associations. As discussions continue, supporters will be watching for any formal moves that could shift the governance or funding models used by the clubs. The outcome of these debates will likely influence policy directions in the sector and set a reference for governance in South American football. The coverage here integrates ongoing developments and their potential implications for fans, clubs, and national sport policy. (Goal)