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See the full story · 2 sourcesFIFA President Gianni Infantino recently went on the offensive when addressing his and the organization's critics -Credit:Chris Brunskill/Fantasista, Getty Images
La Liga President Javier Tebas has labeled Gianni Infantino's post-World Cup social media tirade, in which he attacked his own critics and those of FIFA, as "pathetic."
Following the conclusion of the World Cup earlier this month, which saw Spain emerge victorious after beating Argentina in what was an ugly final, Infantino unleashed a scathing broadside against his detractors in a lengthy statement posted on Instagram. The FIFA President kicked off his nearly 900-word outburst by apologizing to individuals who had not watched the tournament across North America because they were so "consumed by hate and criticism," as per The Mirror US .
"To everyone who missed our beautiful game, the emotions, the celebrations, the laughter, the crying, the deception and the joy," wrote Infantino.
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"To all of you who missed watching kids, babies, grandparents, and parents come together for the beautiful game, I say sorry that the matches are now over and sorry that you missed all that joy and togetherness. Sorry that you were so consumed by hate and criticism that you missed it all."
He went on to state: "To those behind their pens and papers, behind their screens spreading hate and false rumors, I want to say that while you are sitting behind, we at FIFA are on the front lines organizing, working hard, and delivering the best show in the world."
Nevertheless, Infantino's move to condemn those who seek to hold FIFA accountable has drawn sharp criticism from Tebas.
Taking to X, Tebas questioned why Infantino felt compelled to attack those seeking to hold FIFA accountable, adding that the defensive tone of the FIFA President's remarks suggested he had something to conceal.
"Today Gianni Infantino has written a pathetic message on his Instagram account and on the accounts of FIFA," Tebas wrote on social media.
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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. And a reflection Gianni: when a leader dedicates an entire message to disqualifying those who exercise legitimate scrutiny, it's inevitable to wonder... why precisely now? Is there something that explains such a defensive tone? Is something happening that we don't know about?"
Tebas is no admirer of Infantino's, having recently called for his resignation in an interview with Italian newspaper La Gazzetta dello Sport.
"In my opinion, yes [he should resign], I think [he] has had his day," Tebas said. "But he has the support of the system, of the federations, there is not much more to add, right?".
"There is no opposition candidate, no one wants to present themselves to lose. This is the system and it is a system that is sick at the source."
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