La Liga president Javier Tebas has once again criticized FIFA president Gianni Infantino and said he should resign over decisions he believes harm football. Tebas accused FIFA of putting commercial interests ahead of the sport by expanding international competitions and increasing schedule congestion. His latest comments come amid ongoing discussions to expand the 2030 World Cup from 48 to 64 teams.Tebas said further expansion of the World Cup would harm domestic competitions, which he believes are the backbone of football. According to the Associated Press, he told Italian media Gazzetta dello Sport: “There is no point in increasing the number of national teams. The football industry is not just about the World Cup. The World Cup is the most important event. But not everything can revolve around the World Cup.”He also called on Infantino to step down, saying: “In my opinion, yes, I think his time is up.” Tebas added that many people were privately opposed to Infantino but failed to take action, claiming: “He should not stay, but he will not leave… Those who remain silent are fully aware of the damage that football is suffering.”Tebas also criticized FIFA’s hydration breaks and the extended 27-minute half-time break during the World Cup final, saying: “Hydration breaks are a lie… It’s a lie – and they’re just advertising breaks.”
Fan groups join in criticism
Football Supporters Europe (FSE) also condemned FIFA’s handling of the World Cup and called for major governance reforms. The group accuses FIFA of putting commercial interests ahead of fans, citing high ticket prices, expensive travel, poor communication and changes to football traditions. The FSE believed that the event damaged the reputation of FIFA and the World Cup, concluding that “FIFA is not suitable to govern global football” and accusing Infantino of putting economic and political interests before the future of football.
