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Spanish Football Boss Urges FIFA President Infantino to Resign
๐Ÿ‡ฉ๐Ÿ‡ฐ Denmark /Sports

Spanish Football Boss Urges FIFA President Infantino to Resign

From Berlingske · () Danish

Translated from Danish, summarized and contextualized by DistantNews.

At a glance

News Named sources Context piece
  • The president of Spain's La Liga, Javier Tebas, called for FIFA President Gianni Infantino to resign, stating his term has expired.
  • Tebas cited Infantino's handling of the Balogun case, where a player's suspension was overturned after alleged pressure from then-US President Donald Trump, as a serious issue.
  • Tebas also criticized Infantino's plans to expand the World Cup to 64 teams, arguing it overburdens players and makes little sense.

Javier Tebas, president of Spain's La Liga, has urged Gianni Infantino to step down as president of the International Federation of Association Football (FIFA), stating that his time is up. Tebas expressed this view directly in an interview with the Italian newspaper La Gazzetta dello Sport.

After my opinion, yes. I think his time is out.

โ€” Javier TebasStating his belief that Gianni Infantino should resign as FIFA president.

"In my opinion, yes. I think his time has expired," Tebas stated. However, he acknowledged that this scenario is unlikely to materialize. Tebas anticipates Infantino will point to the success of the recent World Cup and his strong support from many federations. "He shouldn't stay, but in the current situation, he will not resign. There are no opposing candidates, and no one wants to run just to lose," Tebas commented, referring to the upcoming election where Infantino is seeking a fourth term.

He shouldn't stay, but in the current situation, he will not resign. There are no opposing candidates, and no one wants to run for to lose.

โ€” Javier TebasDiscussing Infantino's likely re-election despite opposition.

Tebas highlighted the Balogun case during the recent World Cup as a particularly concerning issue. He was displeased that USA forward Folarin Balogun had his suspension for a red card overturned for the match against Belgium. This occurred after then-US President Donald Trump reportedly urged FIFA to cancel the suspension day. "The suspension of the American player's ban is an extremely serious matter. They were lucky that Belgium eliminated the USA, otherwise, a case could have arisen that could have cost Infantino his job," Tebas believes.

The suspension of the American player's ban is an extremely serious matter. They were lucky that Belgium eliminated the USA, for otherwise there could have arisen a case that could have cost Infantino the job.

โ€” Javier TebasCommenting on the overturning of Folarin Balogun's suspension.

Furthermore, Tebas criticized Infantino's expansion plans for the World Cup, including the ongoing discussion to increase the number of teams to 64. He had already opposed the expansion to 48 nations and believes that increasing the number of teams further "makes no sense." Tebas argued that the best players are already being over-exploited. Tensions are also evident between FIFA and the Union of European Football Associations (UEFA), with UEFA President Aleksander ฤŒeferin reportedly absent from the World Cup final to show his dissatisfaction with FIFA.

To increase the number of teams makes no sense.

โ€” Javier TebasExpressing his opposition to expanding the World Cup format.
DistantNews Editorial

Originally published by Berlingske in Danish. Translated, summarized, and contextualized by our editorial team with added local perspective. Read our editorial standards.

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