La Liga president Javier Tebas has launched a scathing attack on FIFA, accusing the governing body of operating as a closed shop where decisions are made before any vote takes place and without consultation with domestic leagues.
The 63-year-old described the red card shown to Balogun against Bosnia-Herzegovina — following a VAR review by referee Raphael Claus — as the “tip of the iceberg” in a series of events he believes have been “eroding the credibility of FIFA and football in general for many years”.
Writing on X, Tebas directed his frustration at those within the sport who choose to stay quiet. “The worst of all is that much of the football world is aware of it, but too many prefer to maintain a complicit silence,” he wrote. “Because staying quiet is more comfortable than defending independence, transparency, and good governance.”
Tebas, who has held the La Liga presidency since 2013, called for accountability at the top of the game. “World football deserves institutions that are accountable, respect the rules, and govern with transparency — not through unilateral, discretionary, arbitrary decisions that erode the trust of fans, clubs, leagues, and players.”
Outside Europe, reaction to FIFA’s decision has been largely muted. Conmebol did issue a statement defending Claus after US president Donald Trump described the Brazilian referee as “a bit suspect”, but widespread criticism from football officials beyond the continent has been limited.
Image credit: BBC Sport / BBC Sport
