"Playing to Trump's tune with a BTS money parade!"... Ra Ri-ga (Chairman), scathing criticism of FIFA: "Football dies in 40 days of profit-seeking"

*This content was translated by AI.

Javier Tebas (64), president of Spain's La Liga, strongly condemned the autocratic administration and commercialism of Gianni Infantino (56), president of the International Federation of Football Associations (FIFA), calling for his resignation.

According to an interview with the Italian media outlet 'Gazzetta dello Sport' on the 22nd (Korean time), President Tebas pointed out FIFA's conduct in detail, as revealed during the recently concluded 2026 North American World Cup.

First, he strongly criticized FIFA's plan to expand the number of participating countries in the World Cup to 64. President Tebas stated, "Not everything can revolve around the World Cup," and raised his voice, saying, "While the foundation that supports football and creates tens of thousands of jobs is each country's domestic league, FIFA is destroying the entire football industry for a mere 40-day event."

The disciplinary leniency case involving U.S. national team striker Paul Arriola also came under scrutiny. Regarding this incident, which sparked allegations of interference by U.S. President Donald Trump, President Tebas defined it as "a very serious matter." He added, "It was fortunate for FIFA that Belgium eliminated the United States in the round of 16. If the result had been different, In Pan-ti-no (Chairman) could have lost his position."

Criticism continued regarding FIFA's blatant commercialism. Regarding the "hydration breaks" introduced under the guise of player protection, he argued, "In some stadiums, air conditioners were running to the extent that spectators had to wear jumpers in the stands," and claimed, "The breaks were a lie; they were only time for advertisements."

He also criticized the halftime show of the final match, which lasted over 27 minutes with performances by Madonna, BTS (BTS), and others, stating, "FIFA is obsessed only with its own interests and pays no attention to football itself."

Finally, President Tebas asserted that "In Pan-ti-no (Chairman)'s allotted time has ended, and he ought to resign." However, he pessimistically noted that the current FIFA election system is rotten from the ground up, leaving no viable alternative candidate willing to run just to defeat him, making it unlikely that Infantino will actually step down.

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*This content was translated by AI.