La Liga President Calls for FIFA’s Infantino to Resign
La Liga president Javier Tebas has publicly urged FIFA president Gianni Infantino to step down. He accuses FIFA of harming the football industry by expanding international competitions, which he believes undermines local leagues and clubs.
Tebas has often voiced his concern about FIFA’s scheduling and plans to increase the size of the World Cup. When asked whether Infantino should resign, Tebas stated, “In my opinion, yes, I think his time is up.”
Infantino, who has held the FIFA presidency since 2016, announced plans to seek a fourth term, with the elections set for March 18, 2024, in Morocco. Despite his ambitions, Tebas acknowledges that Infantino has considerable backing from national federations, which complicates any attempts to remove him.
“He shouldn’t stay, but the current situation suggests he won’t leave,” commented Tebas. “There’s no candidate to oppose him; everyone is so hesitant to run against him. This is a flawed system.”
Tebas also remarked that while many express discontent with Infantino’s leadership, few take action to challenge him.
Balogun Suspension Sparks Controversy
In another discussion, Tebas criticized FIFA’s decision to postpone a one-match suspension for U.S. striker Folarin Balogun, who received a red card during the World Cup. The decision reportedly followed pressure from U.S. President Donald Trump. The U.S. faced Belgium in the Round of 16, where they lost 4-1.
“The delay of Balogun’s suspension is a serious issue,” said Tebas. “They were fortunate that Belgium won, as it prevented a situation that could have been detrimental for Infantino. This matter is just the beginning.”
These remarks come amid rising tensions between FIFA and UEFA. UEFA president Aleksander Ceferin was notably absent from the recent World Cup final after disagreements on various operational issues.
Tebas Opposes World Cup Expansion
Furthermore, Tebas spoke out against the proposal to expand the men’s World Cup to 64 teams for its centenary in 2030. This idea has been supported by CONMEBOL president Alejandro Dominguez, with Infantino indicating it may be explored in the future.
Tebas expressed concern, stating that increasing the number of teams could harm local competitions, which he sees as the backbone of football. “Expanding the number of national teams doesn’t make sense,” he remarked.
“The World Cup is crucial, but it’s not the only thing that matters. Domestic leagues are what truly support the sport. They’re jeopardizing the football industry, which provides thousands of jobs for a tournament that lasts just 40 days, attended by only a fraction of players.”
The dialogue around these issues continues as the football world observes the tensions between FIFA and its governing bodies.
