The fugitive from justice who preferred the absentee dock
Ah, federal justice, that entity that always knows how to make the powerful tremble… or at least ignore its subpoenas with style. Alejandro Irarragorri, the magnate behind Santos Laguna and Atlas, has been officially declared a fugitive for alleged tax fraud of more than 17 million pesos. Yes, you read that right: 17 million. With that amount, one could buy several average players or, failing that, pay taxes like any mortal.
It turns out that on March 24, Irarragorri decided that a court hearing was not as important as his other commitments (a golf game? a meeting to evade more taxes?). The Attorney General’s Office (FGR), with its infinite patience, issued an arrest warrant because, apparently, they were not happy that the businessman stood them up. Of course, he tried to justify himself with a writing, but the judges, those very picky beings, considered that his excuses were as valid as a missed penalty in stoppage time.
The art of not showing up (and getting away with it)
The most ironic thing is that Irarragorri did appear on March 20… by video call. But the judge, in a burst of nostalgia for in-person trials, decided that the next hearing would be in person. And what did our protagonist do? What anyone would do: ignore her. After all, why bother complying with the law when you can delegate the presidency of the club to your 24-year-old son? (Alejandro Irarragorri Kalb, in case anyone wanted to know who will inherit this mess).
The accusation comes from a payment of 54.2 million pesos that Santos Laguna made to players and coaches under the concept of compensatory bonuses, which, oh coincidence, are exempt from taxes. The Federal Tax Prosecutor’s Office (PFF) alleges that everything was a scheme to not pay the ISR. Use a collective contract with a hotel union to pay soccer players? It sounds as creative as it is illegal.
Meanwhile, Irarragorri’s defense alleges that the arrest warrant was issued without following formalities. Of course, because in this country, formalities are like penalties: sometimes they are marked, sometimes they are not, and when they are not, there is always someone complaining.
What’s next? A protection, because in Mexico no scandal would be complete without one. Meanwhile, the businessman remains on the “most wanted” list of the Mexican justice system, although probably not as wanted as a star forward in the transfer season.
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