‘Reclaim football’: Sepp Blatter joins La Liga chief in call for Gianni Infantino to resign

Pressure is mounting on FIFA president Gianni Infantino as prominent figures in the sport call for his resignation. Javier Tebas, the head of La Liga, openly accused the current FIFA leadership of damaging the football industry by prioritizing the World Cup over established national leagues. He specifically criticized plans to expand the tournament to 64 teams, arguing that this focus undermines the daily operations of clubs that support the broader sport.

Former FIFA president Sepp Blatter has added his voice to the growing criticism. Blatter urged fans, players, and national associations to reclaim the sport, suggesting that current policies have compromised the integrity of the game. These calls for change come during a period of heightened scrutiny regarding FIFA's administrative decisions, including controversies surrounding disciplinary rulings at the recent World Cup tournament held in the United States.

Tebas described the internal structure of FIFA as compromised, noting that the lack of opposition in presidential elections makes it difficult to challenge the status quo. He pointed to specific operational changes, such as extended half-time intervals and questionable hydration breaks, as evidence that the governing body prioritizes commercial interests over the health of the game.

Infantino is currently positioned to run for a fourth term in March. While he maintains significant support from member federations, the recent public opposition from both a major league executive and a former president highlights a rift between FIFA leadership and influential figures in global football. The focus remains on whether these voices can influence change within a system that appears locked in its current direction.