Cash crisis delays kick-off in Argentina

The Argentinian Football Association has postponed the start of the season, originally scheduled for August 14, due to the financial problems afflicting clubs.

It has been estimated that clubs owe more than €57m in debts to the state, players, employees and other interested parties.

Argentinian FA president and FIFA vice-president Julio Grondona called for an urgent meeting with the national Chief of Ministers, Anibal Fernandez, to ask for subsidies and government support for new laws which give the clubs more money from gambling.

Also, he said he will look for an improvement in the contract for TV rights.

“The teams are making their best effort to pay their debts, but it’s a tough situation,” Grondona said.

“I’m not a fortune teller, so it’s impossible for me to say when this will be solved and when the football will return.

“There are six top-flight teams in a hard position, and many others in the lower categories.”