Javier Tebas, the head of La Liga, has publicly demanded that Gianni Infantino resign from his post as president of Fifa. Tebas argues that the organization is actively harming the global football industry through its recent management decisions.
Speaking to La Gazzetta dello Sport, Tebas criticized several Fifa initiatives, including mandatory hydration breaks, extended half-time intervals, and the potential expansion to a 64-team tournament. He described the current Fifa leadership as detached from the needs of national leagues, which he believes serve as the true backbone of the sport.
The Spanish league executive expressed frustration regarding the inconsistency of rules, highlighting a specific instance where US player Folarin Balogun avoided a suspension. Tebas suggested that while many stakeholders privately oppose Infantino’s direction, they remain silent due to a lack of viable opposition and the entrenched nature of Fifa’s election process.
Tebas further dismissed the necessity of mandatory hydration breaks in air-conditioned stadiums, suggesting they serve as vehicles for commercial advertising rather than player welfare. He also condemned the lengthy 27-minute half-time show during the World Cup final as prioritizing entertainment over the integrity of the game. Fifa has yet to provide a formal response to these accusations.
