The proposal from Buenos Aires legislator Facundo Del Gaiso aims to detect potential cases of corruption or match-fixing amid multiple accusations against Argentine referees.
Argentina.- Buenos Aires legislator Facundo Del Gaiso, from the Civic Coalition, has introduced a bill requiring the Argentine Football Association (AFA) to demand that professional referees submit an annual sworn declaration of their assets in order to detect possible cases of corruption.
“The AFA needs more transparency now more than ever to protect the clubs and fans. Sports betting is contaminating the entire football ecosystem. That's why I presented a bill in the City Legislature requiring referees to submit an annual sworn declaration of their assets,” he announced on X.
As he explained, the goal of the project is to prevent and detect any illicit enrichment by referees, to bring greater transparency to Argentine football, and to protect the interests of the clubs, in a context where the growing offer of online betting could negatively interfere with their performance.
“The situation with the refereeing is concerning. We need to investigate the financial situation of these judges because some cannot justify their lifestyle based on the income they receive from their work. Now, it's not just a team that can throw a game, but referees and the entire football ecosystem are involved. Clubs linked to important AFA leaders are favored, and we need to start looking at these situations with new eyes. For example, analyze what happens with those refereeing decisions, if they are rewarded and suddenly become international referees overnight,” explained Del Gaiso.
See also: Match manipulation: growing concern over the increase in cases in the lower divisions of Argentine football
Later, the legislator added: “It is necessary for the AFA to adopt measures that ensure transparency in Argentine football, which is the sport with the deepest roots in our society. The sworn asset declarations are a necessary and indispensable tool for our football to continue being a venue for social and family gatherings.”
