Alejandro Irarragorri Gutiérrez, the president of Grupo Orlegui and owner of Liga MX clubs Santos Laguna and Atlas, has been declared a fugitive from justice after failing to attend a court hearing in Torreón, related to an alleged tax fraud case exceeding 17 million pesos. This significant legal development has raised eyebrows in the Mexican football community, particularly given Irarragorri's high-profile status in the sport.
On March 20, 2025, Irarragorri participated in a virtual hearing via videoconference; however, the presiding judge mandated his physical presence for a subsequent hearing scheduled for March 24, 2025. When he did not appear, Karla Cecilia Marín, an assistant at the Federal Criminal Justice Center in Torreón, officially declared him "evaded from justice" and ordered his capture, as reported by Reforma.
The case pertains to accusations from the Attorney General's Office (FGR), which claims that Irarragorri engaged in fraudulent activities by failing to pay Income Tax (ISR) on salaries to players during the period from January to July 2017. The total payments made to players and coaching staff during this timeframe amounted to 54.2 million pesos, with notable beneficiaries including players such as Néstor Araujo, Djaniny Tavares, Jonathan Rodríguez, José Manuel de la Torre, and Benjamín Galindo.
Irarragorri's legal team has vigorously contested the legitimacy of the arrest warrant, asserting that it was issued without adhering to essential legal formalities. They have filed an amparo appeal, which seeks to challenge the legality of the proceedings against him. According to his lawyers, Irarragorri did appear on March 20 and expressed his willingness to cooperate with the judicial process. They argue that the judge's decision to abruptly cancel the virtual hearing and reschedule it without proper notification was unjustified.
In a statement issued by Club Santos Laguna, the organization expressed its disapproval of what it termed the "undue judicialization" of a matter that should be resolved administratively. The club emphasized that Irarragorri had not been formally warned to attend the March 24 hearing, and therefore, his absence should not warrant precautionary measures against him. Furthermore, they highlighted that the sudden cancellation of the March 20 hearing by the judge occurred while it was still in progress, and the subsequent summons did not respect the legal timelines.
Club Santos reiterated its commitment to acting within the law and rejected the notion that a discrepancy in tax interpretation should escalate into a criminal matter. The club's officials are adamant that they will defend their rights and resist any perceived attempts at coercion disguised as judicial actions.
If the allegations against Irarragorri are confirmed, he would become the first manager of a First Division club in Mexico to face such severe criminal charges in over a decade. The implications of this case extend beyond Irarragorri himself, as it could set a precedent regarding the accountability of football executives in financial matters.
The situation remains fluid, with the FGR actively seeking to apprehend Irarragorri. As of now, the legal battle appears poised to intensify, drawing attention not only from fans of Santos Laguna and Atlas but from the broader sporting community in Mexico.
As the developments unfold, many are left wondering how this will impact the clubs under Irarragorri's ownership and the Liga MX landscape as a whole. The case has sparked discussions about the responsibilities of club owners and the potential consequences of financial mismanagement in professional sports.
In conclusion, the unfolding legal saga surrounding Alejandro Irarragorri highlights significant issues within the intersection of sports management and legal accountability. As the FGR pursues its case, the football world watches closely, awaiting further updates on this high-stakes situation.
