A decision by the AFA (the Argentine football federation) and the professional club league triggered a crisis involving two Argentine idols. It all started after Rosario Central became champion of the League, as it was the team that scored the most during the year.
The team — represented by world champion Ángel Di María, coach Ariel Holan, president Gonzalo Belloso and captain Jorge Broun, received the trophy on a visit to the Professional League headquarters in Puerto Madero.
Rosario won the new title after the team finished the regular season of the Apertura and Clausura tournaments with a total of 66 points, 4 more than Boca Juniors. Under the previous regulations, the team with the highest annual score only guaranteed a place in the Copa Libertadores.
Even approved “unanimously” by the top hats and promoted by the president of the AFA, Claudio “Chiqui” Tapia, the decision to give Central a star was harshly criticized by fans of the other teams, as it had not been announced at the beginning of the season.
The biggest voice against the award, the Estudiantes de La Plata club, represented by vice-president Pascual Caiella, denied that there had been a vote on the recognition of the title of 2025 League Champion.
Even so, the League ordered the players to form a corridor to welcome the Rosario Central team. During the game at the Gigante de Arroyito stadium, which ended up generating one of the most controversial scenes in local football.
The Estudiantes team turned their backs in protest as Di María and his teammates entered the field, an act that was reportedly instigated by the team’s president and another Argentine football idol, Juan Sebastián Verón.
The players’ protest generated diverse reactions in Argentina, with support from figures such as President Javier Milei, who opposes Tapia due to his proximity to Peronism and who shared a photo wearing the Estudiantes shirt, despite not being a fan of the La Plata team.
Accusing Tapia of demoralizing Argentine football, Milei took the opportunity to cancel the planned trip to Washington to follow the World Cup draw, scheduled for December 5th, where he would be alongside the AFA president.
Targeted by rival fans on their social networks, Di María spoke out, stating that the team felt like champions and that the decision was not theirs.
Following the protest, the AFA Disciplinary Court began proceedings to investigate Estudiantes’ behavior before the game and gave the club 48 hours, through its president and captain, to present a defense.
Two days later, during a ceremony, Tapia commented on Milei’s situation and stance, drawing attention to the difficulties faced throughout his years at the head of Argentine football and the possibility of future changes after his mandate.
“It’s not the first time we’ve been through this. Have no doubt that, when my mandate expires, whoever wants to run will have that opportunity,” said Tapia.
The AFA Disciplinary Court decided to impose a disciplinary measure on Verón and the Estudiantes players. The idol was suspended for six months from any football-related activity. The players involved received a two-match suspension, which will be served at the start of the Apertura 2026 Tournament, so as not to harm the current competition.
Furthermore, Estudiantes captain Santiago Núñez received an additional sanction prohibiting him from serving as captain for three months. The La Plata club was also fined the equivalent of 4,000 tickets (around R$425,000).
The AFA reported that the decision is not yet final and there is the possibility of amnesty for players before the start of the next tournament, but this would not apply to Verón.
This Friday (28), Verón spoke for the first time about the conflict. During an interview with Con Vos radio, he denied that the distinction to Rosario Central was discussed at a meeting of the Board of Directors, highlighting that what occurred was recognition and not the granting of a formal title.
“In reality, what is considered and was not on the agenda, is to do recognition, which is very different from giving a star to a team,” said the former midfielder.
Verón emphasized that his criticisms were not against Rosario Central, but against the idea of creating a title that was not stipulated at the beginning of the season. He also denied having political aspirations in the AFA and stated that his only objective is to improve football, both from a sporting and social point of view.
The president of Estudiantes criticized the lack of debate in Argentine football, stating that decisions are taken unilaterally without opposition, in yet another exchange of barbs with “Chiqui” Tapia.
