Argentina Could Withdraw From Copa America Amidst Government Investigation
By Ty Duffy
Copa America Centenario is days away. But, some drama has already begun. There appears to be a chance presumptive favorite Argentina withdraws from the tournament.
Argentina’s government is investigating Argentina’s Football Association (AFA) for the mishandling of funds. The government suspended the AFA’s presidential elections during the interim, which the AFA believes is “government interference.”
The AFA is holding an executive committee meeting today in response. Per the executive secretary, the AFA could pull the national team from Copa America and suspend activities in response to the government action.
FIFA has tried to block government interference in soccer. It hinders corrupt governments from interfering in soccer. It also, conveniently, hinders governments from interfering in soccer corruption. FIFA’s tool to enforce that has been banishment. Nigeria was banned in 2014 before being reinstated a week later.
FIFA is hardly in a position to hold sway over governments. Pulling Argentina from a major (or at least lucrative) tournament would be a drastic step. Sponsors have money invested. This is probably an empty threat.
We’d peg the probability of Argentina not playing at less than the probability Lionel Messi misses a match for Barcelona for tax evasion, which is small.