Illegitimate Trophies, Player Protests and Fan Unrest – Behind The Chaos In Argentina's Top Flight

As midday passed on Sunday, the Estadio Gigante de Arroyito ascended into a yellow and blue cacophony of noise.

The Rosario Central faithful awaited the entrance of their beloved team ahead of a massive round of 16 knockout fixture against Estudiantes in the Clausura playoffs, but this entrance would have a little bit extra.

The Odd New Trophy That Nobody Asked For

Last week the Argentinian Football Association (AFA) created a new trophy, almost entirely from thin air, and awarded it to Rosario Central.

The new award was decided on during a boardroom meeting and blessed by the controversial FA president, Claudio Tapia.

No consultations, no communication; they just did it.

The 'Champions of the League' trophy, as they so creatively named it, is awarded to the team with the most points in the general standings, which combines both the Apertura and Clausura phases of the competition.

In principle, you'd think it makes sense. But considering it has never been present before now, was introduced when most of the season was already complete, and nobody asked for it – it all just feels a bit odd.

Estudiantes Take A Stand

Following the commissioning of the trophy, the AFA demanded in writing that Estudiantes honour Rosario Central in their upcoming fixture with a traditional guard of honour.

It was a clear attempt to legitimise the new trophy, which had already begun to gain big backlash in its small tenure.

The issue the AFA had was they couldn't predict what Estudiantes would do next, and it wasn't pretty.

As the players lined up in the tunnel, the cameras captured an interaction between Angel Di Maria and one of the Estudiantes players in which both embraced and the visiting member whispered something into Di Maria's ear, to which he nodded in acknowledgement.

The Estudiantes players came out first and lined up in guard of honour formation, seemingly awaiting their counterparts in orderly fashion.

But, as Rosario walked from the depths of the tunnel, the Estudiantes squad launched their clearly premeditated protest.

Gracias Estudiantes de La Plata por hablar en nombre de todos los futboleros. pic.twitter.com/AaftWQmEOL

— Nadir Ghazal (@turcocarp) November 23, 2025

It is worth noting that the Estudiantes players reportedly made it clear that their protest was not intended as a personal attack on Rosario themselves and were congratulatory toward their fellow professionals in the pre-match build-up but instead a clear message to the AFA.

Veron & Tapia Come To Blows

Estudiantes' current chairman is Argentinian footballing legend Juan Sebastian Veron, and it's safe to say he and the AFA have never really seen eye to eye.

And this whole situation has seen Veron and Tapia's relationship deteriorate far past what many thought was even possible.

In the wake of Estudiantes' protest, the AFA released a document which detailed the regulations around the awarding of their new trophy.

Veron les hizo pisar el palito y salio todo a flote, en breve no solo cae la presidencia de Tapia sino que puede llegar a terminar Preso. Master class del pelado barba candado pic.twitter.com/O5upfxmt4K

— Gaston Ledesma (@Elgato_ok) November 25, 2025

But when online detectives did some digging, it was revealed that the document of regulations, which included strict instructions around 'behaviour that undermines the spirit of the game', was actually created on the same day that Estudiantes turned their backs on the guard of honour… Fishy, isn't it?

And now, as if by magic, there has been a disciplinary investigation launched looking at the actions of the Estudiantes players, which will likely end in sanctions.

Veron, as you would expect should you know anything about his playing career, hasn't backed down despite the possible sanctions and has taken to his personal social media to restate his stance regarding the AFA.

Argentinian Football in Crisis

It hasn't just been Estudiantes who have shown their discontent in the wake of the widely considered ludicrous decision of the AFA.

The entire footballing landscape of Argentina is currently up in arms.

Argentina National Team murals have been getting vandalized in the recent days because the fans are fed up with Chiqui Tapia and the AFA, they feel the Argentine league is being destroyed and corruption is being ignored.

And as if that wasn’t enough… just an hour ago Rosario… pic.twitter.com/Hn2GRT4PhA

— All About Argentina 🛎🇦🇷 (@AlbicelesteTalk) November 20, 2025

Tapia has been a figure of controversy since his reign of terror started and has done nothing to endear himself to any corner of Argentinian football.

This is just his latest stunt, which many believe is merely an attempt to honour the career of Angel Di Maria.

On the surface that appears a nice gesture, but when those attempts do nothing but further damage the already waning reputation of Argentinian football, questions must be asked and he must be held accountable.