La Liga chief says Infantino era has run its course

Javier Tebas has said Gianni Infantino’s time as FIFA president is over, accusing him of damaging the core of football.

Tebas targets FIFA leadership

The La Liga president told Le Monde that Infantino “is not someone who helps football grow” and claimed his projects are “destroying” national leagues. Tebas, who has led La Liga since 2013, said the issue goes beyond the latest controversy.

He added that he hopes any change at FIFA brings real reform, not simply one person replacing another. “It is not just a matter of replacing one person with another, but of a real and comprehensive reform,” he said.

Pressure continues after World Cup plan U-turn

Infantino has faced mounting calls to resign after FIFA backed away from a plan to sell a stake in the World Cup to private investors. FIFA has said it will not pursue the proposal, and Infantino apologised to national associations on Wednesday over the way it was drawn up.

Pressure intensified this week after UEFA confirmed payments it said had been made to a staff member who allegedly had a relationship with Infantino while he was FIFA secretary general. Infantino has denied the claims.

The PA Media report quoted Tebas as saying the crisis is only “the tip of the iceberg” and that the problem lies with FIFA’s governance system, not one individual.