ISTANBUL / Ahmed Hassan / Anadolu Agency

Javier Tebas, president of the Spanish football league "La Liga," called on FIFA President Gianni Infantino to step down from his post, claiming the world governing body is "destroying the football industry."

In an interview with Italian newspaper "La Gazzetta dello Sport" on Tuesday, Tebas, when asked whether the Swiss-national Infantino should step down, said: "In my opinion, yes, I think his time is over."

The La Liga president expressed surprise at the support Infantino (56) receives from national federations, claiming that FIFA's election system is "inherently corrupt."

He continued: "There is no opposing candidate, no one wants to run just to lose," adding: "He should not stay, but the status quo means he will not leave."

He explained: "In the past few days here in America, I have heard many people who oppose Infantino, who disagree with what he is doing."

He continued: "They say that, but they do nothing. I do not know which is worse, silence or complicity, because those who remain silent are fully aware of the damage football is suffering."

Tebas (63) criticized the water breaks during the World Cup, the long halftime interval in the final, the postponement of a suspension for United States striker Folarin Balogun, and the possibility of a future 64-team summer tournament.

He explained: "Suspending the American player's ban was a very dangerous decision. They were lucky that Belgium eliminated the United States, otherwise a case would have arisen that could have cost Infantino his job."

He continued: "Since Belgium won, they were able to close the matter, but these things are just the tip of the iceberg."

Regarding the proposal to increase the number of teams in the next World Cup to 64, Tebas said: "Increasing the number of national teams is illogical. The football industry is not just the World Cup."

He added: "National competitions are what support this sport. They are destroying the football industry, which provides tens of thousands of jobs, for an event that lasts 40 days and involves only a few players."

He continued: "We need fewer international matches and more protection for national football at all levels. They do not realize they are making irresponsible decisions."

Tebas pointed out that "FIFA arranges things as it pleases, according to what it wants and its own interests, certainly not in the interest of football. So if it needs a 27-minute halftime break, it will get it."

Tebas considered the water breaks a lie, saying: "We have breaks in La Liga, but only when it is really hot. Here, the stadiums in Dallas, Los Angeles, and Atlanta were air-conditioned, and I had to wear a jacket in the stands. That was a lie, and a break for commercials."

He declared: "This is proof that we are governed by an institution that does and decides whatever it wants, whenever it wants, following only its own interests, without regard for the rest of football. In many cases, this institution acts at the expense of football."

Infantino is expected to be re-elected for a fourth term at the FIFA Congress next March, although Tebas believes that Infantino might have been ousted as a result of his involvement in the Balogun case.

The 25-year-old American player avoided suspension in his team's round of 16 match against Belgium after an intervention by U.S. President Donald Trump.

UEFA criticized FIFA's decision at the time, calling it "unprecedented, incomprehensible, and unjustified," and the decision was one of the factors that led to UEFA President Aleksander Čeferin not attending the World Cup final.

Infantino opened the door to a 64-team world tournament, but Tebas denounced it due to the schedule, saying: "We need fewer national teams and more protection for local football."

FIFA imposed mandatory three-minute water breaks during the World Cup, regardless of conditions, in all matches played in stadiums in the United States, Mexico, and Canada.

FIFA said the decision was implemented as part of its commitment to player welfare, but critics pointed out that broadcasters use the breaks as a means to generate profits from commercial advertisements.

Meanwhile, pop music icons Madonna, BTS, Shakira, and Justin Bieber were among the artists who performed during the halftime interval in the World Cup final, which extended from the usual 15 minutes to 27 minutes.