La Liga boss Javier Tebas calls for Gianni Infantino to resign from FIFA

Javier Tebas, the president of La Liga, has publicly demanded the resignation of FIFA president Gianni Infantino. Tebas, who has served as a vocal critic of the governing body's recent administrative trajectory, claims the current leadership is actively dismantling the foundation of the professional football industry to prioritize commercial interests.

The Balogun Controversy and Political Intervention

Central to the criticism leveled against FIFA is the handling of a disciplinary case involving United States striker Folarin Balogun. After Balogun received a red card during a match, an automatic suspension was triggered. However, following a direct request from United States President Donald Trump, FIFA’s disciplinary committee suspended the ban, allowing the player to compete in the Round of 16 match against Belgium.

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"Red cards are not overturned by political phone calls. They are overturned by rules, evidence and independent bodies. If a U.S. President intervenes with the FIFA President — and a player is suddenly cleared before a World Cup knockout match — the question is unavoidable: Quo vadis, FIFA?"

Sepp Blatter, former FIFA president, via X (formerly Twitter)

Tebas characterized the intervention as an exceptionally serious breach of procedure. He suggested that the organization avoided a wider scandal only because Belgium defeated the United States, thereby nullifying the competitive impact of the decision. According to Tebas, this incident serves as the "tip of the iceberg" regarding the influence of political entities on the sport's integrity. UEFA had previously labeled the reversal as "unprecedented, incomprehensible and unjustifiable," a stance that contributed to the absence of UEFA president Aleksander Ceferin at the tournament final.

Operational Grievances

Beyond disciplinary matters, Tebas and other stakeholders have raised concerns over the logistical management of the 2026 tournament. Mandatory hydration breaks were implemented for matches throughout the event; however, Tebas dismissed these as a "farce." He noted that several stadiums in Dallas, Los Angeles, and Atlanta had air conditioning, arguing that the breaks were utilized as artificial opportunities for commercial advertising rather than for player welfare.

The final match of the tournament also drew criticism for its extended presentation. The half-time interval was lengthened to 27 minutes and 22 seconds to accommodate a performance featuring artists including Justin Bieber. Tebas argued that such deviations from standard match protocols demonstrate that FIFA makes decisions based solely on its own commercial interests rather than the needs of the sport.

Institutional Criticism and Future Governance

The Football Supporters Europe (FSE) group issued a formal statement condemning the tournament as a failure in governance. The organization cited high ticket prices, excessive transportation costs, and a lack of transparent communication as evidence of mismanagement. The FSE stated that FIFA is "unfit to govern" and called for structural reforms to restore decision-making power to the FIFA Council and Congress, rather than allowing the sport to be "contorted to the whim" of the current president.

Despite these criticisms, Tebas conceded that the immediate removal of Infantino remains unlikely. He described FIFA’s internal structure as "rotten at its core," noting that while many individuals within national federations privately oppose the current leadership, few are willing to mount a formal challenge. Tebas characterized this lack of public opposition as a form of "complicity."

The Road to the 2027 Election

The focus of football governance now shifts toward the 2027 FIFA Presidential Election, scheduled for 18 March 2027, in Morocco. Infantino, who has served as president since 2016, is expected to stand for a fourth term. The incumbent retains significant support among many national federations, particularly due to his advocacy for tournament expansion.

FIFA is currently considering proposals to increase the size of future tournaments, with some suggestions reaching a total of 64 teams. Tebas has warned that such expansion risks damaging the broader football economy, noting that domestic leagues provide the majority of employment in the sport and that the industry cannot revolve solely around a 40-day international event.