In this case, it is impossible not to agree with La Liga president Javier Tebas
Gianni Infantino is once again in rough weather. Now, LaLiga president Javier Tebas is accusing the FIFA boss of “destroying the very essence” of football, while the pressure around Infantino continues to mount after his failed private investment proposal.
Infantino has come under increasing scrutiny after he put forward plans to create a commercial subsidiary that would allow private investors to buy into FIFA tournaments – including the World Cup. This week, the FIFA president apologized to the member associations for how the proposal was handled, but the backlash has only increased.
Of course, FIFA boss Gianni Infantino has a mistress who has received big money
UEFA, the English Football Association, Norway and several other governing bodies are now demanding his resignation.
“Infantino’s time is long gone”
In an interview with the French newspaper Le Monde , Tebas made harsh statements:
“For me, Gianni Infantino’s time is long gone,” he said.
“I’m not saying this because of the recent events. I’ve been noticing this type of leadership for a long time, but everyone else seems to be discovering it only now.
“Gianni Infantino is not someone who contributes to the growth of football. On the contrary, his projects destroy the very essence of the sport – the national leagues. Football is not limited to the elite. For me, the Infantino era is over.
Demands extensive reforms
Tebas also argued that replacing Infantino alone will not be enough – the entire FIFA system needs a fundamental overhaul.
“What remains to be seen is when it will come into force and how the succession will unfold,” he added.
“I hope it’s not just about replacing someone with others, but about a real overhaul of the system.
A turbulent week for Infantino
The criticism comes in the middle of an unusually turbulent week for Infantino. UEFA has confirmed that a severance package was paid to a former female employee who allegedly had a relationship with him during his time as UEFA secretary-general. Infantino has denied the accusations.
Despite the fact that FIFA has abandoned its investment plans, UEFA has maintained the threat of boycotting future World Cups should similar proposals resurface.
“The tip of the iceberg”
Tebas believes the controversy is a symptom of far broader governance problems in football.
“What is happening does not surprise me,” he said.
“What surprises me is the reaction of many who remained silent for years. This episode is just the tip of the iceberg of what has been going on in FIFA – but also more generally in football, where there are no real governance guidelines.
“The problem is not limited to one person. It is about a whole system. The old system can persist even when people change. Let’s hope things really change – that a new leader arrives, and that new governance is established in FIFA,” Tebas concluded.
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