Javier Tebas, the president of La Liga, has leveled serious accusations against FIFA, claiming that the organization is “destroying the football industry” He has also urged FIFA President Gianni Infantino to step down from his position. Tebas’s remarks come in the wake of discussions surrounding the 2026 World Cup and the potential expansion of the 2030 tournament from 48 to 64 teams.
“Increasing the number of national teams makes no sense,” Tebas asserted during an interview with the Italian newspaper La Gazzetta dello Sport. “The football industry is not just the World Cup, which is the most important event. But not everything can revolve around the World Cup. It is national competitions that support this sport. “They are destroying the football industry, which generates tens of thousands of jobs, for an event that lasts 40 days and involves a minority of players. We need fewer national teams and more protection for national football, at all levels. They don’t realise, they are making irresponsible decisions.”
The La Liga chief further criticized the decision-making at FIFA, stating, “In my opinion, yes, I think his time is up. However, he has the support of the system, of the federations, so there’s not much more to add, is there? “There’s no opposition candidate, nobody wants to stand just to lose. This is the system, and it’s a system rotten at its core. These past few days here in America I’ve heard many people who are against Infantino, who disagree with what he does. They say it, but then they do nothing. “I don’t know if silence or complicity is worse, because those who are silent are perfectly aware of the damage that football is suffering.”
Infantino’s Tenure Under Scrutiny
When asked about Infantino’s suitability for his role, Tebas responded, “based on the applicable regulations and the specific facts” He pointed out the lack of viable opposition to Infantino, emphasizing that “The suspension of the American player’s ban was absolutely serious; they were lucky that Belgium eliminated the USA, because otherwise, a case could have arisen that might have cost Infantino his job. Since Belgium won, they managed to bury the matter. But these things are just the tip of the iceberg. “Fifa arranges things as it wants, for what it wants, for its own interests, certainly not for football. So, if they need a 27-minute half-time break, they’ll have it. Hydration breaks are a lie. “We have them in La Liga, but when it’s genuinely hot. Here, the pitches in Dallas, Los Angeles, Atlanta had air conditioning; I had to put on a jumper in the stands. It was a lie, a break for advertising.”
Tebas highlighted the discontent surrounding Infantino’s leadership, saying, “These past few days here in America I’ve heard many people who are against Infantino, who disagree with what he does. They say it, but then they do nothing.” He questioned whether silence or complicity was more damaging, noting, “I don’t know if silence or complicity is worse, because those who are silent are perfectly aware of the damage that football is suffering.”
Controversies Surrounding FIFA Decisions
Infantino has attracted controversy throughout his decade-long presidency at FIFA. As he prepares for a potential fourth term in March 2027, Tebas suggested that Infantino’s position could have been jeopardized by the Folarin Balogun incident had the USA triumphed over Belgium in their recent World Cup match.
The USA striker was initially handed a one-match suspension, which was later lifted by FIFA’s disciplinary committee after a phone call from Donald Trump. Infantino has maintained that the decision was made independently, stating it was based on “the applicable regulations and the specific facts.”
Tebas remarked, “The suspension of the American player’s ban was absolutely serious; they were lucky that Belgium eliminated the USA, because otherwise, a case could have arisen that might have cost Infantino his job. Since Belgium won, they managed to bury the matter. But these things are just the tip of the iceberg.”
Critique of FIFA’s Priorities
The La Liga president also expressed his concerns regarding FIFA’s operations. “FIFA arranges things as it wants, for what it wants, for its own interests, certainly not for football,” he stated. He criticized the organization for proposing extended half-time breaks and questioned the legitimacy of hydration breaks, arguing, “Hydration breaks are a lie.”
“We have them in La Liga, but when it’s genuinely hot. Here, the pitches in Dallas, Los Angeles, Atlanta had air conditioning; I had to put on a jumper in the stands. It was a lie, a break for advertising,”
FIFA has been contacted for a response to these allegations.
