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La Liga president Javier Tebas has sharpened his long-running clash with FIFA, dramatically stating that Gianni Infantino’s spell in charge must end immediately. The outspoken Spanish administrator believes the present leadership is causing deep harm to football’s ecosystem by putting elite interests ahead of domestic leagues.

Tebas calls for immediate change in FIFA leadership

The La Liga chief launched a fierce verbal attack on Infantino, saying the FIFA president’s time leading world football has clearly come to an end. Speaking in an extensive interview with Le Monde, Tebas held nothing back in his verdict on the current condition of the global governing body.

The timing of the latest criticism is especially striking, as it came soon after FIFA was forced to drop a confidential initiative called “FIFA Forward Enterprise”, which aimed to create a commercial entity open to outside private investors.

Tebas said that failed plan was only a sign of a much deeper and more structural problem within the corridors of power in Zurich. “For me, Gianni Infantino’s time has long since passed,” Tebas said firmly. “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.”

Accusations of damaging football’s essence

At the heart of the La Liga president’s criticism is his belief that Infantino’s idea for the global game is fundamentally at odds with the survival of domestic competitions. He reinforced that view by claiming the present FIFA regime is actively weakening the sport’s foundations. “Infantino is not someone who contributes to the growth of football,” Tebas told the French media in his blunt assessment. “On the contrary, his projects are destroying the very essence of football: the national leagues.”

“Football is not limited to the elite. For me, the Infantino era is over. What remains to be seen is when that will take effect and how the succession will unfold. I hope it is not just a matter of swapping out some people for others, but of a genuine overhaul,” Tebas added.

A system in need of complete reform

Tebas made it clear that the issues affecting the sport go beyond the personality of one individual, indicating that FIFA’s entire culture needs a full transformation if the same mistakes are to be avoided in future.

He said the “old system” has a tendency to survive even when new people move into the top positions. “What is happening does not surprise me. What does surprise me is the reaction of many people who remained silent for years,” he remarked.

“And the problem is not limited to one person: It is about an entire system. The old system can persist even when the people change. Let’s hope things truly change, that a new leader arrives, and that new governance is established at FIFA,” Tebas explained.

Pressure grows on the FIFA presidency

Infantino is now going through what may be the toughest phase of his presidency, with resistance increasing from several influential groups in Europe. Apart from Tebas’ public criticism, the Norwegian FA has openly demanded his resignation, while several other European associations have reportedly withdrawn their formal backing for his next term.

In spite of the pressure building within Europe, Infantino still retains notable support from other parts of the world, including major football nations such as Argentina and Mexico. However, the possibility of a UEFA-led boycott of FIFA tournaments still hangs over the organisation, raising the prospect of a historic split within the sport.