The AFA’s legal team has reportedly begun compiling evidence — including social media posts, manipulated videos, and coordinated campaigns — with the intention of pursuing defamation and related proceedings.
Allegations of Coordinated Efforts
Reports suggest that several football-focused accounts on platforms such as X and Instagram were approached by marketing agencies offering payment to publish critical or misleading content about Argentina’s campaign.
Key elements highlighted include:
- Paid Narratives: Claims that Argentina’s draws, officiating decisions, and progression were artificially influenced.
- Viral Attacks: Coordinated waves of posts accusing officials of favouritism toward Lionel Messi and the team, which gained millions of interactions during the knockout stages.
- Broad Scope: The AFA is considering action against mainstream outlets, PR agencies, and prominent influencer accounts across multiple platforms.
Context and Next Steps
The move comes after Argentina reached the final of the 2026 World Cup. While the team’s on-pitch achievements were widely celebrated, off-field controversies and online narratives reportedly prompted the association to act.
Legal proceedings, if pursued, could target both domestic and international entities involved in the alleged campaigns.
This development underscores growing concerns across football about the impact of disinformation and coordinated online activity on the sport.
The AFA has not yet issued a full public statement on the matter, but further updates are expected in the coming weeks.