Football
ESPN staff 8y

Argentina FA headquarters evacuated after bomb threat

The headquarters of the Argentina Football Association in Buenos Aires was evacuated on Monday following a bomb threat.

Reports in Argentina say an anonymous phone call led to the evacuation of the building as the federation awaits a potential suspension from FIFA, one day after the national team lost yet another tournament final.

Lionel Messi missed in a penalty shootout as Chile beat Argentina in the Copa America final for the second straight year. It was the Albiceleste's fourth loss in the Copa final in the past five tournaments, while they also fell to Germany in the 2014 World Cup final.

The Argentina FA is waiting for FIFA to decide whether to suspend all national teams from international competitions because of government interference.

Last week, AFA president Luis Segura was charged with fraudulent administration in an investigation related to TV broadcasting rights.

Segura declined comment when approached by reporters while waiting in the rain during the evacuation.

Messi also called the AFA a "disaster" ahead of the Copa America final, revealing a backlog of complaints with the federation, though he later said his comments were a mistake.

The superstar then said after Sunday's defeat that he would retire from the national team. Sources also told ESPN that Sergio Aguero, Javier Mascherano and Lucas Biglia are also planning to retire, while multiple reports say Ever Banega, Ezequiel Lavezzi, Angel Di Maria and Gonzalo Higuain are also considering their international futures.

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