LaLiga president Javier Tebas has intensified his criticism of FIFA president Gianni Infantino, insisting that the Swiss administrator should not remain in office following the collapse of FIFA’s controversial proposal to sell a stake in its commercial operations to private investors.
In a strongly worded statement published on X, Tebas argued that although FIFA’s decision to withdraw the proposal was welcome, it did not address what he described as deeper governance issues within world football. He maintained that football’s governing bodies, including continental confederations, national associations, domestic leagues and players, should not view the withdrawal of the plan as the end of the matter.
Tebas declared, “Infantino must not continue,” adding that the abandoned proposal exposed fundamental problems in FIFA’s leadership and decision-making processes. According to the LaLiga chief, meaningful governance reforms are still required to restore confidence in the administration of the global game.
The controversy centred on FIFA’s proposal to allow private investors to purchase stakes in a newly created company that would manage the commercial rights and tournament operations of FIFA competitions, including the World Cup. The plan faced widespread opposition from several football stakeholders, who feared it would commercialise the sport further and reduce the influence of football’s governing institutions over its flagship tournaments.
Facing mounting resistance, FIFA president Gianni Infantino confirmed over the weekend that the proposal had been withdrawn. Reports indicated that UEFA strongly opposed the initiative and even threatened to boycott FIFA competitions if the project moved forward. Opposition from several other continental confederations also meant Infantino lacked the support required to secure approval for the plan.
Although the proposal has now been abandoned, Tebas believes the episode has highlighted broader concerns about FIFA’s governance under Infantino’s leadership. His latest comments add to the long-running tensions between LaLiga and FIFA over issues including the international match calendar, expanded competitions and the commercial direction of global football.
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