LaLiga president Javier Tebas has accused Gianni Infantino of “destroying the essence of football” and believes his time as FIFA president has come to an end.
Speaking to French newspaper Le Monde, Tebas pulled no punches in his assessment of Infantino’s tenure as FIFA president. The Spanish football chief strongly criticised Gianni Infantino’s managerial style, insisting that the 56-year-old does not contribute to the growth of football.
Thanks for the submission!
“For me, Gianni Infantino’s time has long since passed,” Tebas said. “I’m not saying this because of recent events; I have noticed this style of management for a long time, though everyone else seems to be discovering it only now.
“Infantino is not someone who contributes to the growth of football. On the contrary, his projects are destroying the very essence of football: the national leagues. Football is not limited to the elite. For me, the Infantino era is over. What remains to be seen is when that will take effect and how the succession will unfold. I hope it is not just a matter of swapping out some people for others, but of a genuine overhaul.”
Tebas’ remarks come against the backdrop of Infantino’s collapsed plan to sell stakes in FIFA’s commercial operations to private equity. Despite aborting his proposal, Infantino continues to face increasing pressure over his position from member associations and the game’s stakeholders.
Tebas, who is a long-standing critic of the current FIFA regime, said he was not surprised by the current situation. He stated that the bigger issue is the people who have refused to speak against Gianni Infantino’s policies in the organisation.
“What is happening does not surprise me,” he continued. “What does surprise me is the reaction of many people who remained silent for years. This episode is only the tip of the iceberg of what has been going on within an institution, FIFA, but also more broadly in football, where there are no real governance policies. And the problem is not limited to one person; it is about an entire system.
“The old system can persist even when the people change. Let’s hope things truly change, that a new leader arrives, and that new governance is established at FIFA.”
Tebas also alleged that Infantino was complicit in the controversial Super League project, stating that some people who were involved in the breakaway league were also involved in the FIFA Forward Enterprise (FFE) project.
Gianni Infantino retains FIFA’s backing amid growing opposition
Amid growing calls for Infantino to step down as FIFA president, he retains the backing of the FIFA Secretary General and members of the FIFA Management Board.
The FIFA Council held a meeting last Wednesday in Rabat, Morocco, that was described as constructive and positive. In a statement, the football governing body acknowledged that mistakes had been made during the process and after the proposal was disclosed. It, however, reaffirmed its support for Infantino.
“Following a meeting in Rabat, Morocco, the FIFA Secretary General and members of the FIFA Management Board in attendance reaffirmed their full support for FIFA President Gianni Infantino, as the only official elected by the 211 FIFA Member Associations. In turn, the FIFA President reiterated his full support for the FIFA Secretary General and the FIFA Administration for their necessary and outstanding work in the delivery of his vision,” it read.
Infantino became FIFA president in 2016 and is seeking re-election for a fourth term in 2027.
Edited by Ezekiel Olamide
