La Liga president Javier Tebas has launched a scathing attack on FIFA president Gianni Infantino, declaring that his era is over. The criticism comes after leaked plans to sell shares of the World Cup were met with widespread opposition, forcing FIFA to backtrack.
Tebas calls for complete rebuild
Speaking to Le Monde, Tebas said the organisation needs a complete rebuild, adding that the recent episode is only the tip of the iceberg of governance issues within FIFA and football as a whole.
“What is happening does not surprise me. What does surprise me is the reaction of many people who remained silent for years,” Tebas said. “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.”
Infantino's management style criticised
Tebas specifically criticised Infantino's management style, saying his time has long since passed. He pointed to the organisation of the Club World Cup and the lack of consultation with key stakeholders like leagues.
“Look at the organisation of the Club World Cup, what happened in the effort to make it profitable... Decisions were made without key stakeholders in football – the leagues – even being informed. That is how things have been managed for years,” Tebas said.
He also referenced the Super League episode, noting Infantino appeared in working documents of the league's promoters, and drew connections to the FIFA Forward Enterprise project.
Pressure mounts on Infantino
Infantino is under mounting pressure to resign, with the Football Association and Welsh FA formally withdrawing their support. He faces a battle for re-election in March, needing 106 of the 2011 associations to vote his way.
Despite the backlash, FIFA has given Infantino its “full support” in a recent statement. However, Tebas remains adamant that change is needed.
“For me, Gianni Infantino's time has long since passed. 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,” Tebas added.
“Gianni Infantino is not someone who contributes to the growth of football. On the contrary, his projects are destroying the very essence of the sport: the national leagues. Football is not limited to the elite. For me, the Infantino era is over.”
