La Liga Boss Javier Tebas Calls for Gianni Infantino to Resign, Claims FIFA is “Destroying” Football

La Liga President Javier Tebas has launched a scathing attack on FIFA President Gianni Infantino, declaring that his time leading world football’s governing body has come to an end.

In a candid interview with Italian newspaper La Gazzetta dello Sport, the head of Spain’s top flight accused FIFA of damaging the broader football industry through controversial rule changes, expanded tournament formats, and commercialized matchday adjustments.

When asked directly if Infantino should step down, Tebas was unequivocal:

“In my opinion, yes, I think his time is up,” Tebas said, adding that while resistance to Infantino is growing behind closed doors, FIFA’s current election framework makes unseating him nearly impossible. “There’s no opposition candidate, nobody wants to stand just to lose. He shouldn’t stay, but the current state of affairs means he won’t leave.”

Criticism of World Cup Changes and Governance

Speaking from the United States following Spain’s victory in the 2026 World Cup, Tebas criticized several recent operational decisions and proposals introduced by FIFA. His grievances centered on:

• In-Game Alterations: Mandatory hydration breaks and extended half-time intervals during the World Cup final.

  

• Disciplinary Decisions: The delayed suspension of U.S. national team striker Folarin Balogun.

• Format Expansion: Proposals exploring the future possibility of a 64-team World Cup tournament.

Tebas described FIFA’s voting system as “rotten at its core,” arguing that national federations routinely back Infantino despite growing private discontent among major league stakeholders.

“These past few days here in America, I’ve heard many people who are against Infantino, who disagree with what he’s doing,” Tebas noted, signaling rising tension between Europe’s domestic leagues and FIFA’s global leadership.