Latest news with #ArgentinianFootballAssociation
The Hindu
6 days ago
- Sport
- The Hindu
Sponsor claims Argentinian Football Association has not yet officially called off Kerala tour
The Argentinian Football Association (AFA) has not yet officially denied to tour Kerala during the October-November window this year and if the AFA violates the contract to that effect then it will amount to cheating, which will be dealt with legally, says Anto Augustine, managing director of the Kochi-based broadcasting company, which claims to be the sponsors of the proposed tour. He was addressing a press conference here on Tuesday after Sports Minister V. Abdurahiman said the previous day that the visit of the Argentina national team to Kerala was off. This had created much heartburn among football fans across the State. Mr. Augustine claimed that his company had already paid the AFA over ₹130 crore based on a contract that the same Argentina team, including Lionel Messi, that won the last World Cup would play two matches and participate in a fans meeting during the tour. 'But now the association has informed that the team will visit the State in September 2026 and sent a draft contract to sign if that is acceptable to us. It has also proposed to send a delegation to discuss the matter, both of which are not acceptable to us,' he said. He said that a contract already signed, based on which payment had been made after informing the State government, Centre, Finance Ministry, and the Reserve Bank of India, cannot be revised just like that. 'Our contract was that the same team that won the last World Cup will play in Kerala. By next September, the World Cup will be over and there is no guarantee that Argentina will win it again. We will wait for another 15 days for a confirmation since making the infrastructure arrangements will take time and cannot be done in short notice,' said Mr. Augustine, who wondered whether the AFA, having realised the potential of the tour, was trying to bargain. The Sports Minister had announced last November that the Argentina national football team featuring Messi would play two exhibition matches against Japan and Qatar in Kerala in 2025. However, when the itinerary was released by the AFA this May, there wasn't a stopover in Kerala. The blame was then put on the Kochi-based company as the Minister said it was for the company, which had an agreement with the AFA, to explain. However, in June, Mr. Abdurahiman raised fresh hopes through his social media post, 'Messi is coming.'
The Hindu
16-05-2025
- Sport
- The Hindu
Argentina football team not to play in Kerala
Lionel Messi and Argentinian football team will not be visiting Kerala for international friendly matches in October this year as the Kerala State Government and its sponsors have been unable to raise the required funds. The State Government was supposed to sign agreement with the Argentinian football association three months ago by paying an advance amount of ₹30 crore. However, the sponsors who were tasked to raise funds were unable to honour their commitment, following which the agreement couldn't be signed. The total fund required for bringing the World Cup winner was in tune of ₹100 crore. The Argentinian Football Association (AFA) has officially announced its national team will play international friendlies in China, Angola and Qatar in October and November.
New Straits Times
06-05-2025
- Sport
- New Straits Times
Argentina's 1978 World Cup winner Galvan dies
BUENOS AIRES: Luis Galvan, who played in every match in Argentina's 1978 World Cup winning campaign, died on Monday aged 77, the Argentinian Football Association (AFA) announced. Galvan had been in hospital in Cordoba for several weeks with kidney problems. Galvan formed a rock hard central defensive partnership with captain Daniel Passarella that laid the foundations for the Argentina side that lifted the World Cup trophy for the first time. Two goals from the tournament's leading scorer Mario Kempes and one from Daniel Bertoni saw off the Netherlands 3-1 after extra-time in Buenos Aires. "The Argentine Football Association, through its President, Claudio Tapia, mourns the passing of Luis Galvan, a defender who won a World Cup with the Argentine national team in 1978, and expresses its condolences to his family and loved ones," read an AFA statement. Galvan, who played the majority of his club career for Talleres de Cordoba, making over 250 appearances for them, also played at the 1982 finals. Like many of the 1978 side, age had caught up with him in the 1982 title defence – Diego Maradona about the only new face in the line-up – his 34-year-old legs unable to cope with second round opponents Brazil and Italy, who beat the champions 3-1 and 2-1 respectively. Ubaldo Fillol, goalkeeper in 1978 and 1982, paid his former team-mate a handsome tribute. "An excellent defender and an even better person," said Fillol. "It was a true pleasure to play alongside you. My heartfelt hug to all your family and close friends." Galvan's death follows just over two weeks after that of another Argentine football icon, goalkeeper Hugo Gatti, aged 80. Gatti – whose nickname was 'El Loco,' or 'The mad man' – would have been in goal instead of Fillol for the 1978 World Cup but a knee injury months before the tournament sidelined him. He held the record for most number of games played in Argentina's top football division, with 765. He played from 1962 to 1988. —AFP
Yahoo
06-05-2025
- Sport
- Yahoo
Argentina's 1978 World Cup winner Galvan dies
Luis Galvan (3rd L) a pivotal member of Argentina's first World Cup winning side in 1978 has died aged 77 (STAFF) Luis Galvan, who played in every match in Argentina's 1978 World Cup winning campaign, died on Monday aged 77, the Argentinian Football Association (AFA) announced. Galvan had been in hospital in Cordoba for several weeks with kidney problems. Advertisement Galvan formed a rock hard central defensive partnership with captain Daniel Passarella that laid the foundations for the Argentina side that lifted the World Cup trophy for the first time. Two goals from the tournament's leading scorer Mario Kempes and one from Daniel Bertoni saw off the Netherlands 3-1 after extra-time in Buenos Aires. "The Argentine Football Association, through its President, Claudio Tapia, mourns the passing of Luis Galvan, a defender who won a World Cup with the Argentine national team in 1978, and expresses its condolences to his family and loved ones," read an AFA statement. Galvan, who played the majority of his club career for Talleres de Cordoba, making over 250 appearances for them, also played at the 1982 finals. Advertisement Like many of the 1978 side, age had caught up with him in the 1982 title defence -- Diego Maradona about the only new face in the line-up -- his 34-year-old legs unable to cope with second round opponents Brazil and Italy, who beat the champions 3-1 and 2-1 respectively. Ubaldo Fillol, goalkeeper in 1978 and 1982, paid his former team-mate a handsome tribute. "An excellent defender and an even better person," said Fillol. "It was a true pleasure to play alongside you. My heartfelt hug to all your family and close friends." Galvan's death follows just over two weeks after that of another Argentine football icon, goalkeeper Hugo Gatti, aged 80. Advertisement Gatti -- whose nickname was 'El Loco,' or 'The mad man' -- would have been in goal instead of Fillol for the 1978 World Cup but a knee injury months before the tournament sidelined him. He held the record for most number of games played in Argentina's top football division, with 765. He played from 1962 to 1988. str/lmig/pi/bsp
