Tebas Calls For Infantino To Step Down Over FIFA's World Cup Decisions
La Liga president Javier Tebas has called on FIFA president Gianni Infantino to resign, accusing the football governing body's leader of introducing policies that are damaging the sport and prioritising commercial interests over the game's long-term health.
Speaking in an interview with Italian newspaper La Gazzetta dello Sport, Tebas criticised several aspects of FIFA's management of the 2026 FIFA World Cup.
Among the issues he highlighted were the introduction of mandatory hydration breaks, an extended half-time entertainment show, proposals to expand the tournament further, and what he described as interference in disciplinary matters.
According to Tebas, the current direction of FIFA is hurting domestic football competitions, which he believes remain the foundation of the global game.
"The football industry is much bigger than the World Cup," he argued, insisting that expanding international tournaments at the expense of national leagues would have serious consequences for clubs, players and football workers.
Tebas also questioned the need for three-minute hydration breaks during matches, claiming they were designed more for commercial purposes than player welfare.
He expressed similar concerns over the lengthy half-time show, saying such additions move football away from its traditional format.
The La Liga chief further criticised FIFA's governance structure, claiming many football administrators privately disagree with Infantino's leadership but are unwilling to challenge him publicly.
He suggested that the organisation's electoral system makes it difficult for alternative candidates to emerge.
He also referred to the controversy surrounding United States forward Folarin Balogun, whose reported disciplinary situation during the tournament generated widespread debate, describing the episode as another example of decisions that undermined confidence in FIFA.
Despite Tebas' criticism, Infantino is widely expected to seek and secure another term as FIFA president when the organisation holds its next congress. Nevertheless, the Spanish football executive believes dissatisfaction with FIFA's leadership is growing and warned that concerns over the governing body's direction cannot be ignored.
Speaking in an interview with Italian newspaper La Gazzetta dello Sport, Tebas criticised several aspects of FIFA's management of the 2026 FIFA World Cup.
Among the issues he highlighted were the introduction of mandatory hydration breaks, an extended half-time entertainment show, proposals to expand the tournament further, and what he described as interference in disciplinary matters.
According to Tebas, the current direction of FIFA is hurting domestic football competitions, which he believes remain the foundation of the global game.
"The football industry is much bigger than the World Cup," he argued, insisting that expanding international tournaments at the expense of national leagues would have serious consequences for clubs, players and football workers.
Tebas also questioned the need for three-minute hydration breaks during matches, claiming they were designed more for commercial purposes than player welfare.
He expressed similar concerns over the lengthy half-time show, saying such additions move football away from its traditional format.
The La Liga chief further criticised FIFA's governance structure, claiming many football administrators privately disagree with Infantino's leadership but are unwilling to challenge him publicly.
He suggested that the organisation's electoral system makes it difficult for alternative candidates to emerge.
He also referred to the controversy surrounding United States forward Folarin Balogun, whose reported disciplinary situation during the tournament generated widespread debate, describing the episode as another example of decisions that undermined confidence in FIFA.
Despite Tebas' criticism, Infantino is widely expected to seek and secure another term as FIFA president when the organisation holds its next congress. Nevertheless, the Spanish football executive believes dissatisfaction with FIFA's leadership is growing and warned that concerns over the governing body's direction cannot be ignored.
