Javier Tebas, the fiery La Liga chief, unleashed a blistering broadside against FIFA yesterday, claiming that Gianni Infantino's leadership is actively 'destroying the football industry' and calling for his immediate resignation. The outspoken president's scathing indictment comes as FIFA continues to push for the expansion of the World Cup from 48 to 64 teams in 2030 – a move Tebas has vehemently opposed.
Tebas, never one to shy away from controversy, told Italian newspaper La Gazzetta dello Sport that FIFA's sole focus on the World Cup is a 'recipe for disaster', neglecting the crucial role of national competitions. He blasted, 'The football industry isn't just about the World Cup – it's about the national competitions that breathe life into this beautiful game! They're suffocating our sport, which generates tens of thousands of jobs, all for an event that lasts a mere 40 days and involves a fraction of our top players.'
Tebas didn't hold back in his criticism of Infantino's leadership, declaring, 'His time is up!' However, he conceded that the FIFA president has entrenched support from national federations, making any opposition futile. 'There's no alternative candidate willing to take on the establishment,' Tebas remarked wryly, 'and it's a system rotten at its core.'
The La Liga chief also highlighted what he described as a 'serious' incident during the 2026 World Cup – Folarin Balogun's one-match ban being controversially suspended after a phone call to Infantino from Donald Trump. Infantino insisted that the decision was independent, but Tebas suggested it was just the tip of the iceberg in FIFA's self-serving practices. He also took aim at the 'hydration breaks' introduced during the tournament, branding them a 'con' – mere opportunities for advertising rather than genuine rest periods for players.
Infantino, who has led FIFA for over a decade, is set to secure a fourth term as president in March 2027. FIFA has been approached for comment regarding Tebas's allegations.