La Liga chief Tebas accuses FIFA of 'destroying football industry', calls for Infantino to quit

La Liga president Javier Tebas has accused FIFA of “destroying the football industry” and called for FIFA president Gianni Infantino to resign, citing the organization’s expansion of international competitions at the expense of domestic leagues and clubs. His remarks came during an interview with Italian newspaper La Gazzetta dello Sport, where he directly addressed criticisms of Infantino’s leadership. Tebas stated that in his view, Infantino’s tenure should end, saying, “his time is up.” The comments follow ongoing disputes over FIFA’s management of global football, including its handling of the World Cup and proposed changes to the competition structure. The tension between Tebas and FIFA intensified in recent weeks. In April, Infantino announced his intention to seek re-election for a fourth term as FIFA president, with the election set for March 18, 2024, in Morocco. Despite widespread dissatisfaction with FIFA’s direction, particularly regarding the scheduling of matches and the expansion of the World Cup, Infantino maintains strong backing from national federations. Tebas noted that while many within the football community oppose Infantino’s policies, there is currently no credible challenge to his leadership. “There’s no opposition candidate; no one wants to run to lose,” he said, highlighting the lack of viable alternatives within the current system. Tebas also criticized FIFA’s decision to postpone the one-match ban imposed on U.S. striker Folarin Balogun following a red card during the World Cup. The decision followed the intervention of former U.S. President Donald Trump, who reportedly pressured FIFA to reconsider the sanction. The case arose after Belgium defeated the United States 4-1 in the last 16. Tebas argued that the postponement of the ban was a serious issue, suggesting that the outcome of the match allowed the matter to be resolved without further consequences for Infantino. “They were lucky that Belgium eliminated the U.S., because otherwise a case could have arisen that might have cost Infantino his job,” he said. He added that such incidents represent only the surface of deeper systemic issues within FIFA. The dispute comes amid broader disagreements between FIFA and other football authorities, notably UEFA. UEFA president Aleksander Ceferin did not attend the World Cup final, marking a rare absence from a major international event. A source close to the situation told Reuters that the absence followed a series of conflicts between UEFA and FIFA over disciplinary procedures, referee assignments, and logistical arrangements for matches. These tensions underscore the growing rift between the world governing body and regional organizations, which feel increasingly sidelined in key decisions affecting their member associations. Tebas has also expressed concern over FIFA’s proposal to expand the men’s World Cup to 64 teams. The idea gained momentum after CONMEBOL president Alejandro Dominguez reiterated calls for FIFA to consider increasing the number of participants in the 2030 centenary edition of the tournament. While Infantino has previously acknowledged that a 64-team format could be explored in the future, Tebas strongly opposes the move. He argues that such an expansion undermines the stability of domestic leagues and the broader football industry. “Increasing the number of national teams makes no sense,” he said. “The football industry isn’t just the World Cup, which is the most important event. But not everything can revolve around the World Cup. It’s the national competitions that sustain this sport.” Tebas emphasized that the current trajectory of FIFA threatens the livelihoods of countless individuals dependent on domestic football. “They’re destroying the football industry, the one that generates tens of thousands of jobs for an event that lasts 40 days and only a minority of players attends,” he said. His remarks reflect a deepening crisis of confidence in FIFA’s leadership, with growing voices demanding reform and accountability. As the 2024 FIFA presidential election approaches, the pressure on Infantino will likely intensify, with Tebas and others continuing to push for structural changes within the organization.