The Spanish newspaper ‘As’ has reported a potential crisis looming over the Argentine national football team’s participation in the upcoming Copa America and the Olympic Games.
The newspaper highlighted a proposal from Argentina’s president, Javier Maile, suggesting that football clubs in the country could transition into publicly traded sports companies.
Maile welcomed the idea of investors acquiring stakes in Argentine league clubs, asserting that this would improve their timing and provide substantial financial resources.
Since taking office a month ago, President Maile has initiated several measures to liberalize Argentina’s economy. Among his objectives is the encouragement of private and foreign investment in Argentine football, traditionally governed by non-profit associations led by club members.
However, ‘As’ pointed out that this governmental intervention and new directions could violate the independence guaranteed by law to civil and sports associations. This could lead to involvement from FIFA due to decisions imposed outside the framework of the local federation.
The newspaper added that these actions by the executive authority contravene Article 20 of Law No. 20655, which recognizes the autonomy of civil sports associations and the free exercise of their functions within the institutional system of sports and physical activity.
These regulations, demanded by supranational organizations including the International Olympic Committee, the International Paralympic Committee, and particularly FIFA, stipulate severe sanctions for government interference in the institutional life of entities.
The report concluded with a dire warning: the reigning world champions might face exclusion from next summer’s Copa America and the Paris 2024 Olympic Games if FIFA objects to the Argentine government’s interference in football affairs.
