LaLiga boss says FIFA are 'destroying football industry'

Sepp Blatter, former FIFA president, has joined forces with La Liga president Javier Tebas in calling for current FIFA leader Gianni Infantino to step down. Their criticisms come amid the aftermath of the 2026 World Cup, which saw Spain crowned champions. Tebas accused Infantino of undermining the football industry by prioritizing the World Cup over domestic leagues, while Blatter urged fans, players, and national associations to "reclaim football" and return it to its roots under new leadership. Tebas expressed particular concern over Infantino's push to expand the 2030 World Cup from 48 to 64 teams. He argued that increasing the number of participating nations would be counterproductive, stating that the football industry relies heavily on national competitions rather than the World Cup alone. According to Tebas, the World Cup, which lasts only 40 days, benefits a minority of players and fails to sustain the broader ecosystem of football, which supports tens of thousands of jobs. Tebas criticized FIFA for making decisions that prioritize its own interests over the health of the sport. He pointed to issues such as the introduction of hydration breaks and extended halftime intervals, which he described as unnecessary and primarily designed for commercial purposes. In contrast, La Liga implements similar measures only when necessary due to extreme heat conditions. Despite his calls for Infantino's resignation, Tebas acknowledged the difficulty of envisioning a scenario where the FIFA president would actually leave office. He noted that Infantino enjoys widespread support within the system, including backing from national federations. Tebas suggested that there is currently no viable opposition candidate willing to challenge Infantino, highlighting what he views as a fundamentally flawed system. Infantino, who has served as FIFA president for 10 years, is set to seek a fourth term in March. His potential re-election seems likely given the lack of credible challengers. However, Tebas believes that the outcome of certain events, such as the controversy surrounding the suspension of U.S. striker Folarin Balogun's ban, could have altered this trajectory. The decision to suspend Balogun's ban came after a phone call from U.S. President Donald Trump to Infantino, though Infantino stated that the decision was made independently by FIFA's disciplinary committee based on applicable regulations and specific facts. Tebas viewed the suspension of Balogun's ban as a critical issue that could have led to significant repercussions for Infantino. He suggested that the elimination of the United States by Belgium in the last-16 round was fortunate for Infantino, as it prevented further scrutiny of the incident. Tebas warned that such occurrences represent only the surface-level problems facing FIFA, implying deeper systemic issues. Blatter echoed some of Tebas' concerns, emphasizing the importance of maintaining football's integrity free from political influence. He highlighted how the World Cup, despite its success, had lost some of its credibility due to external pressures. Both Blatter and Tebas believe that the future of football depends on addressing these challenges and ensuring that the sport remains focused on its core values rather than being driven by commercial or political agendas. FIFA has yet to respond officially to these allegations and criticisms. As the debate continues, the actions and responses of FIFA will be crucial in determining whether the organization can address these concerns effectively or face continued resistance from key figures within the football community.