Sepp Blatter, the former FIFA president, and Javier Tebas, the president of La Liga, have jointly called for Gianni Infantino to step down as FIFA president. Their criticism comes amid ongoing controversies surrounding Infantino's leadership, including the expansion of the World Cup and alleged political interference.
Blatter and Tebas Unite Against Infantino
Blatter, who led FIFA from 1998 to 2015, took to social media to urge fans, players, and national associations to “reclaim football and bring it back to its roots under new leadership.” Tebas, meanwhile, accused Infantino of “destroying the football industry” by prioritizing the World Cup over domestic competitions. In an interview with Italy's La Gazzetta dello Sport, Tebas stated, “His time is up.”
The criticism escalated as Spain celebrated their World Cup victory on Sunday. Tebas specifically opposed Infantino's plan to expand the 2030 World Cup to 64 teams from 48. “Increasing the number of national teams makes no sense,” Tebas argued. “The football industry is not just the World Cup. Not everything can revolve around the World Cup. It is national competitions that support this sport.”
Concerns Over FIFA's Direction
Tebas warned that FIFA's decisions are harming the industry. “They are destroying the football industry, which generates tens of thousands of jobs, for an event that lasts 40 days and involves a minority of players. We need fewer national teams and more protection for national football, at all levels. They don’t realise they are making irresponsible decisions.”
Despite his call for resignation, Tebas acknowledged that Infantino is likely to remain in power. “He has the support of the system, of the federations. There is no opposition candidate, nobody wants to stand just to lose. It is a system rotten at its core,” he said. Infantino, who has been FIFA president since 2016, is poised to be re-elected for a fourth term in March, potentially unopposed for the third consecutive time.
Balogun Controversy and Political Interference
Tebas highlighted a recent controversy involving USA striker Folarin Balogun, whose one-match ban was suspended by FIFA's disciplinary committee after a phone call from Donald Trump to Infantino. Infantino claimed the decision was made independently based on regulations and facts. Tebas argued that this incident could have cost Infantino his job if the USA had not been eliminated by Belgium. “The suspension of the American player’s ban was absolutely serious. They were lucky Belgium eliminated the USA because a case could have arisen that might have cost Infantino his job. Since Belgium won they were able to bury the matter. But these things are just the tip of the iceberg.”
Blatter also weighed in on the Balogun case, calling it a tipping point. “The longest World Cup has come to an end with the right champions,” he wrote on X. “But on the way to the final whistle, the tournament lost its credibility. Politics must not be allowed to overshadow the game.”
FIFA's Practices Under Fire
Tebas also criticized FIFA's handling of hydration breaks and extended halftime intervals, alleging they are used for advertising. “Fifa arranges things as it wants, for what it wants, for its own interests, certainly not football,” he said. “So if they need a 27-minute half-time break, they’ll have it. Hydration breaks are a lie. We have them in La Liga, but when it’s genuinely hot. The pitches in Dallas, Los Angeles, Atlanta had air conditioning; I had to put a jumper on in the stands. It was a lie, a break for advertising.”
FIFA has been approached for comment but has not yet responded.
