Messi, Chiqui Tapia’s shield and AFA doubts

argentine football suffer significant degradation. There has never been a situation like this in recent decades at least, with decisions about relegation and promotion to the First Division being fraught with doubts about refereeing and controversial decisions for all to see.

Without the glory of the Argentine national team, nor the popularity and importance of big teams such as Boca, River Plate, and Sporting, you have to look further down, such as the Lestra team, to notice There are some very dark things going on at AFA.

Of course, this is not the only case where its name invites us to minimize it, but it serves as an eloquent example of a button.

The team, led by lawyer Víctor Stinfale, is preparing to play in the semi-finals to advance After three scandalous games.

On October 15, Lestra qualified for the Octagon finals by defeating Jujuy Gymnastics, whose referee Komesanya sent off two players and the coach 15 minutes before the start of the match. On October 27, in the first match of the definition, they defeated San Martín de Tucumán 1-0 in another match, but it ended in an incident in which referee Diego Ceballos ruled against 6 A warning was issued, 1 player was ejected, and all players were ejected from the field. On Monday, the Kilmeno goalkeeper was sent off against Quilmes, and the result once again sparked protests and riots.

It is impossible to find it recently Such a shameless series of local arbitrations, this novelty has become natural in Argentine football. Even the attempts to cover it up failed.

To understand how we got here, we have to look back and stop at two milestones: the World Cup hosted by Qatar and the Copa America won by Brazil.

those victories They strengthen Chichi Tapia’s link with Messithey thwarted an attempt by the Alberto Fernández government to replace the AFA president, an attempt that has now passed.

Tapia’s connections with the world’s best players have cemented his power, and he has forged partnerships with Pablo Tovigino, executive chairman of the Federal Council, and former referee Gustavo Bassey, chairman of the arbitration department.

Tovegino and Brazil are designated Regional Championship Referee in Teams from more than 220 Inland Leagues participate, and these designations are Extended “Chain of Favor” Leaders reward votes in the AFA Presidential election. The third man in the plan is also former referee Federico Belligoi.

an efficient “Today for you, tomorrow for me” That Make sure the injured person remains silentwaiting with great expectation to become a favored person one day.

Across the First Division, the fears are similar: Until recently, who would protest when More than a dozen teams fighting to avoid relegation?

Tapia and his men were also promoted The club clearly supports Massaanother action without precedent in the AFA.

Tovigino tweeted his support for the Kirchner candidate (“It’s time to publicly show support for @SergioMassa. Let every Argentinian football club demonstrate to defend their institution. Come on, dear Sergio. “President Massa”) and threaten those who criticize arbitration “They will die first.”

This was not the case with Tigre. By sheer chance, no penalty was awarded against Platens at the weekend.