This afternoon, Javier Tebas, president of LaLiga, once again spoke out against Gianni Infantino, president of FIFA, after the latter issued a message in which he said there were those who “were so consumed by hate that they missed everything,” in reference to the World Cup.
Through his social media accounts, the top executive of Spanish soccer lashed out and said: “Today Gianni Infantino wrote a pathetic message on his Instagram account and on FIFA’s accounts.”
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“No one disputes that football is emotion and unity. But transparency, good governance, and accountability are never hate; they are an obligation. Strong institutions do not discredit those who ask questions, they answer the questions.”
He also sent a reflection to the FIFA president: “When a leader devotes an entire message to discrediting those who exercise legitimate scrutiny, it is inevitable to ask… why right now? Is there something that explains such a defensive tone? Is something happening that we do not know about?” he said.
This is not the first time Tebas has publicly admitted his disagreement with Infantino, as after the World Cup final he said that Gianni should leave because he was destroying football.
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Gianni Infantino’s message
A little more than a week after the end of the World Cup, Gianni Infantino wrote a message to football fans, in which he highlighted the achievements of the competition and addressed critics.
To everyone who missed our beautiful sport, the emotions, the celebrations, the laughter, the tears, the disappointments, and the joy. To everyone who missed seeing children, babies, grandparents, and parents gathered together to enjoy this beautiful sport, I apologize because the matches are already over, and I am sorry that you missed all that joy and unity. I am sorry that, blinded by hate and criticism, you missed everything.
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To those who, behind your pens and papers, behind your screens, spread hate and false rumors, I want to say that while you sit back, we at FIFA are on the front line organizing, working hard, and delivering the greatest show in the world.
While you hide, we walk the streets of Canada, Mexico, and the United States, talking with fans, interacting with people, and ensuring everyone’s safety.
While you divide, we unite.
People came together as families, as fans, as one.
We experienced no violence, no incidents, 100% safety, only joy and happiness!
Seven million people from more than 200 countries enjoyed the tournament in 16 fantastic cities and stadiums: zero incidents, zero hostility, zero violence, only joy, emotion, happiness, unity, and fellowship. Everyone was safe, secure, and happy.
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Billions of people around the world watched the FIFA World Cup™ from home, sharing moments of love for football with friends and family, moments full of joy, emotion, happiness, unity, and togetherness.
Virtually every global celebrity from music, film, entertainment, and sports attended, enjoying the event and spending time with their fans and with us. They were glowing with joy and happiness.
All of this was possible thanks to the governments of the three host countries and their tremendous contributions, thanks to FIFA and its fantastic team that works for you, thanks to the host countries and all their people, to the police forces and their incredible commitment, and to the volunteers, oh, the volunteers!, those incredible people who came from all over the world to be part of the biggest event on the planet.
Every city was packed with fans from all over the world. While they celebrated, you devoted yourselves to sowing hate.
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Our world needs love, not hate; tolerance, not division; celebration, not mourning.
While you spread hate, we worked tirelessly to unite two countries at war. Iran entered the United States without incidents or conflict. When the Iranian team began to play, all the chants against them turned into a single song. The fans became the country, became the team, and supported the Iranian national team. This is the power of football. The Iranian team received visas to enter because football is about peace. It is not about politics. Football is about unity, not division. Football is bigger than hate and discrimination.
Visas were granted to countries facing serious health issues or other challenges. Their teams competing and their fans cheering filled millions of people in their home countries with hope and, if only for a moment that would last forever, with joy and pride.
You mentioned the few people who were denied visas and overlooked the millions who were approved, coming from all parts of the world. Because football unites the world, and that was emphatically proven this summer.
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Or when football introduced Haiti to the world, a country that many cannot or prefer not to visit, perhaps it is time to put aside pens and keyboards and show respect to the teams that played with passion, that competed fiercely, to the countries that contributed, to the fans who traveled, and to children everywhere who dream big. Perhaps it is time to show our affection.
Your discontent with some decisions made by the competent authorities is understandable, but we ask that you consult the public records: these kinds of decisions are common in some of the biggest leagues.
In fact, “questionable” refereeing decisions or “strange” disciplinary sanctions, such as potentially mistaken red or yellow cards or later decisions not to punish players in certain situations, are common and widely accepted in some of the biggest leagues in the world.
It is curious that the very same countries that use these practices are the ones criticizing them.
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This FIFA World Cup celebrated humanity at its very best. We saw teams from small nations compete proudly in the most prestigious matches. They showed confidence, professionalism, and filled their countries with pride. And most importantly, they gave us hope; the hope that anyone can be part of the world, can succeed in football, regardless of their background. We are all equal: fans, players, and simply human beings.
At FIFA, we could not be prouder or more excited to witness these moments of love, joy, and unity.
To those who devote their time and energy to hating us, I ask that you take a moment to reflect, meditate, pray, or watch a football match and look closely at the faces, the eyes, the emotions.
Because only our king of sports can offer such an extraordinary spectacle, a spectacle where everyone comes together and reconnects as human beings.
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To the pens and papers, to all the screens, may they find love and peace where the people behind them could not.
May they find peace; at FIFA we have found it and make it a reality by delivering the most extraordinary FIFA World Cup. May football rise above all hate.
Finally, as FIFA president, I feel incredibly proud to have contributed, even if only in a small way, to this event. It is a fantastic feeling!
Much love to everyone.
This article was translated into English by Artificial Intelligence. You can read the original version in 🇪🇸 here.
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