Tebas’s criticism of FIFA’s expansion plans
Javier Tebas, the president of Spain’s La Liga, has launched a scathing attack on FIFA chief Gianni Infantino, accusing the governing body of “destroying the football industry” by pushing forward an aggressive expansion of international tournaments.
Speaking at a press conference, Tebas argued that Infantino’s ambition to broaden the men’s World Cup to as many as 64 teams would come at the direct expense of domestic leagues that form the backbone of the sport, noting that national competitions sustain tens of thousands of jobs and generate vital revenue.
Balogun ban postponement and political pressure
The Spanish official also took issue with FIFA’s recent decision to delay a one‑match suspension for U.S. striker Folarin Balogun, a move he said was only possible because of the intervention of former U.S. President Donald Trump, and warned that the postponement could have cost Infantino his position had the United States been eliminated earlier by Belgium.
Calls for resignation
Tebas went a step further, calling for Infantino to resign outright, asserting that the FIFA president’s time in office is up and that his continued leadership threatens the integrity of domestic football worldwide.
Adding to the tension, UEFA president Aleksander Ceferin chose not to attend the recent World Cup final, citing irreconcilable disagreements with FIFA’s governance, while Infantino has announced plans to seek a fourth term, a prospect that has further inflamed the debate among football’s leading figures.