La Liga chief Tebas calls for FIFA president Infantino to go, says he's 'ruining football'

La Liga President Javier Tebas has launched a scathing attack on FIFA President Gianni Infantino, accusing him of "ruining football" and acting solely in his own self-interest. Tebas, speaking to Italian newspaper La Gazzetta dello Sport, called for Infantino to step down, arguing that FIFA's decisions, particularly regarding the World Cup, demonstrate a disregard for the sport's well-being.

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Infantino must go; he is ruining football. The decisions taken throughout the World Cup show that they are never working for the good of football; they are only looking out for their own future and their own interests.

"The decisions taken throughout the World Cup show that they are never working for the good of football; they are only looking out for their own future and their own interests," Tebas stated. He specifically criticized the potential expansion of the World Cup to include 64 teams, deeming it nonsensical and detrimental to the broader football industry, which supports tens of thousands of jobs.

Tebas emphasized that the football industry encompasses more than just the World Cup, and that FIFA's actions are damaging it for the sake of a month-long tournament that involves only a minority of players. He expressed concern over the match calendar and called for fewer national teams and better protection for domestic football at all levels, warning that FIFA is making "irresponsible decisions."

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This increase makes no sense. The football industry is not just about the World Cup, however important it may be. They are destroying the football industry, which creates tens of thousands of jobs, for a tournament that lasts 40 days and involves only a minority of players.

Looking ahead, Tebas expressed little optimism about Infantino's leadership being challenged through upcoming elections. He lamented the absence of a strong opposition candidate, suggesting that potential rivals are unwilling to risk a defeat. "There is no opposition candidate, no one wants to present themselves to lose. This is the system, and it is a system that is sick at its source," he said. Tebas noted that while many in America share his criticisms of Infantino, they remain silent, questioning whether silence or complicity is worse when football is suffering.

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There is no opposition candidate, no one wants to present themselves to lose. This is the system, and it is a system that is sick at its source.