A public spat between River Plate board member Lautaro Mauro and former AFA spokesman Daniel Ferreiro has erupted, centring on the club's stance within the Argentine Football Association. The exchange on social media platform X followed sharp criticism from Ferreiro about River's leadership and tournament proposals.
Ferreiro, a former vice-president of Nueva Chicago, had launched an attack two days prior, targeting ex-River president Rodolfo D'Onofrio and suggesting major clubs should play among themselves if they dislike the current league setup. In a post aimed at River president Stéfano Di Carlo, he questioned the organisation of meetings and named several club presidents he claimed were part of an effort to destabilise the AFA. "I hope you reconsider, River is too immense for such a small-minded director," Ferreiro wrote.
Mauro's personal retort
Lautaro Mauro's response on September 25 was swift and personal. The Millonario official hit back with force. "Daniel, you're too old to live on your knees," stated Mauro, accusing Ferreiro of acting out of jealousy after breaking with the AFA in 2021. Mauro labelled Ferreiro a "turncoat" and made it clear River's position was far removed from his views.
Institutional backdrop
The clash comes at a time of recalibration in River's relationship with the AFA. The club had withdrawn from the AFA's Executive Committee in March but formally returned this past Tuesday, September 22, represented by vice-president Ignacio Villarroel. At that meeting, held at the Lionel Andrés Messi facility in Ezeiza, River presented proposals on tournament formats, scheduling, and TV rights looking ahead to the 2028 season, though the AFA opted to maintain the 2027 formats with minor changes.
Amid the off-field controversy, the team must focus on its Liga Profesional campaign. River Plate currently sit eighth in the standings with 13 points from 10 games, five points behind leaders Argentinos Juniors. Their last match was a 1-2 home defeat to Huracán on September 19, halting a positive run of three wins and a draw from the previous four fixtures. The next challenge is a key away trip to seventh-placed Sarmiento Junín on October 4.
