Javier Tebas, the president of La Liga, has condemned FIFA for allegedly “destroying the football industry” and has called for the resignation of its president, Gianni Infantino. His comments come as discussions continue regarding potential changes to the format of the 2030 World Cup, which could see an increase in participating teams from 48 to 64.
In an interview with the Italian publication La Gazzetta dello Sport, Tebas expressed his concerns about the implications of expanding the number of national teams. He stated, “Increasing the number of national teams makes no sense,”
Tebas further criticized FIFA’s decisions, arguing that they jeopardize countless jobs within the football sector. He remarked, “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.”
When asked if Infantino should step down, Tebas candidly replied, “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.” He highlighted the lack of opposition to Infantino, stating, “based on the applicable regulations and the specific facts”
Tebas noted that despite widespread criticism of Infantino, many choose to remain silent. He said, “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.”
Infantino, who has faced considerable controversy during his decade-long tenure as FIFA president, is expected to seek re-election for a fourth term in the congress scheduled for March 2027. Tebas believes that Infantino’s downfall could have occurred after the Folarin Balogun incident, had the USA triumphed over Belgium in their World Cup knockout match.
The situation surrounding Balogun intensified when FIFA’s disciplinary committee suspended his one-match ban, allowing him to play against Belgium following a phone call from Donald Trump to Infantino. Infantino has since stated that the decision to lift Balogun’s suspension was independently made by the disciplinary committee, “based on the applicable regulations and the specific facts.”
Tebas remarked on this incident, saying, “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.”
He criticized FIFA’s operations, asserting, “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.”
Additionally, he pointed out the absurdity of the situation during matches in the USA, saying, “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 claims.
