La Liga President tells Infantino to resign, accuses FIFA of damaging football

La Liga president Javier Tebas has called on FIFA president Gianni Infantino to step down, accusing football’s world governing body of prioritising commercial interests over the long-term growth of the sport and implementing policies that are damaging domestic football competitions across the globe.

In a strongly worded interview with Italian newspaper La Gazzetta dello Sport, Tebas said he believes Infantino’s tenure as FIFA president should come to an end, arguing that the organisation’s recent decisions have placed increasing pressure on clubs, players and national leagues.

Asked directly whether Infantino should resign, Tebas replied: “In my opinion, yes. I think his time is up.”

Despite his criticism, the Spanish football executive acknowledged that Infantino remains firmly in control of FIFA because of the strong backing he enjoys from the organisation’s member associations.

According to Tebas, FIFA’s electoral system makes it almost impossible for a challenger to emerge.

“There is no opposition candidate because nobody wants to stand simply to lose,” he said, describing the governing body’s election process as “rotten at its core.”

Tebas, who travelled to the United States to watch Spain win the 2026 FIFA World Cup, claimed dissatisfaction with Infantino’s leadership is widespread within international football, although many administrators prefer to express their concerns privately rather than publicly.

“I’ve spoken to many people here who disagree with what Infantino is doing. They say it privately but remain silent publicly. I don’t know which is worse—the silence or the complicity—because those who remain silent understand the damage football is suffering,” he said.

The La Liga president also revisited the controversy surrounding United States striker Folarin Balogun, whose suspension during the 2026 FIFA World Cup was lifted following intervention by US President Donald Trump.

According to Tebas, the decision raised serious questions about FIFA’s governance and could have severely damaged Infantino’s leadership had the United States progressed further in the tournament.

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“The suspension of the American player’s ban was extremely serious. They were fortunate Belgium eliminated the United States because otherwise it might have become a case capable of costing Infantino his position. Since Belgium won, the issue disappeared, but it is only the tip of the iceberg,” he said.

Tebas also criticised discussions about expanding future FIFA World Cups to 64 teams, warning that such a move would further congest the football calendar and weaken domestic leagues.

He argued that national competitions remain the foundation of the global football economy and should not be sacrificed in favour of increasingly larger international tournaments.

“Not everything can revolve around the World Cup. Expanding the number of participating countries makes no sense. The football industry is much bigger than one tournament. Domestic competitions generate employment, develop talent and sustain football throughout the year,” he said.

He added that football needs fewer international fixtures and stronger protection for domestic competitions to preserve the sport’s long-term sustainability.

The La Liga chief also criticised FIFA’s decision to introduce mandatory hydration breaks during every match at the 2026 FIFA World Cup, arguing that the policy was applied even in climate-controlled stadiums where weather conditions did not justify such interruptions.

According to him, the breaks appeared to create additional commercial advertising opportunities rather than genuinely serving player welfare.

“Hydration breaks are a lie. In La Liga we only introduce them when temperatures genuinely require it. At several World Cup stadiums, I even needed a jacket because of the air conditioning. Those breaks became advertising opportunities,” he said.

He further criticised FIFA’s decision to extend halftime during the 2026 FIFA World Cup final to accommodate a star-studded entertainment show, arguing that commercial interests increasingly outweigh football traditions.

Tebas maintained that FIFA now makes major decisions without adequately consulting domestic leagues and other football stakeholders, creating growing tension between the governing body and national competitions.

His latest comments add to ongoing debates over football governance, fixture congestion, tournament expansion and the balance between international competitions and domestic leagues.

Several European football leagues have repeatedly expressed concern that FIFA’s expanding calendar places excessive physical demands on players while reducing the importance of domestic football competitions.

Although Tebas believes Infantino should resign, he admitted the FIFA president remains the overwhelming favourite to secure another term in office because of the continued support he enjoys from national football federations.

The remarks are expected to intensify discussions about the future of global football governance, FIFA’s leadership and the growing calls for reforms aimed at balancing commercial growth with the long-term interests of clubs, players and domestic leagues.

La Liga President tells Infantino to resign, accuses FIFA of damaging football