LaLiga president Javier Tebas has publicly challenged the tenure of FIFA president Gianni Infantino, asserting that the 56-year-old is actively “destroying the essence of football.” In a candid interview with the French newspaper Le Monde, Tebas argued that Infantino’s managerial approach fails to foster the sport's growth and instead prioritizes projects that undermine national leagues. According to Tebas, the football landscape extends far beyond the elite, and he believes the era of the current FIFA administration has concluded.
Tebas emphasized that his perspective is not a reaction to recent events, but rather a long-standing observation of Infantino's management style, which he feels many others are only now beginning to recognize. He expressed hope for a genuine, systemic overhaul at FIFA rather than a simple personnel change, stating, “The old system can persist even when the people change.” The LaLiga chief described the current situation as merely the “tip of the iceberg” regarding broader governance issues within the institution and the wider football world, noting a lack of real policy implementation.
The criticism follows the collapse of Infantino’s proposal to sell stakes in FIFA’s commercial operations to private equity. Despite shelving the plan, Infantino continues to face mounting pressure from various stakeholders and member associations. Tebas expressed little surprise at the current climate, though he noted his surprise at the silence maintained by many within the industry for years. Furthermore, Tebas alleged that Infantino was complicit in the controversial Super League project, claiming that individuals involved in the breakaway league also participated in the FIFA Forward Enterprise project. Tebas maintains that the core issue is not limited to one individual but is indicative of a deeply flawed system that requires a new leader and new governance.
