La Liga chief critical of 'complicit silence' surrounding Fifa

BBC HomepageSkip to contentAccessibility HelpYour accountHomeNewsSportEarthReelWorklifeTravelCultureFutureMusicTVWeatherSoundsMore menuMore menuSearch BBCHomeNewsSportEarthReelWorklifeTravelCultureFutureMusicTVWeatherSoundsClose menu BBC SportMenuHomeWorld CupFootballCricketFormula 1Rugby UTennisGolfCyclingAthleticsMoreA-Z SportsAmerican FootballAthleticsBasketballBoxingCricketCyclingDartsDisability SportFootballFormula 1Gaelic GamesGolfGymnasticsHorse RacingMixed Martial ArtsMotorsportNetballOlympic SportsRugby LeagueRugby UnionSnookerSwimmingTennisFull Sports A-ZMore from SportEnglandScotlandWalesNorthern IrelandNews FeedsHelp & FAQsFIFA World CupScores & FixturesKnockout PathTeamsTeam GuidesTop ScorersLa Liga chief critical of 'complicit silence' surrounding Fifa Image source, Getty ImagesImage caption, Javier Tebas has been the president of La Liga since 2013 Football issues correspondentPublished52 minutes agoLa Liga president Javier Tebas has criticised the "complicit silence" which surrounds Fifa after United States striker Folarin Balogun was controversially spared from suspension at the 2026 World Cup. Balogun was able to play in the 4-1 defeat to Belgium in the last 16 after Fifa's disciplinary committee opted to suspend his one-game ban for 12 months. Uefa, which has been at loggerheads with Fifa over a number of issues, strongly criticised the decision on Monday, calling it "unprecedented, incomprehensible and unjustifiable". But outside of Europe there has been little noise about Fifa's decision from football officials. Conmebol, the South American football confederation, issued a statement to back its referee, Raphael Claus, after US president Donald Trump called the Brazilian "a bit suspect". But it did not criticise Fifa or Trump, who revealed he asked for the ban to be reviewed. Claus was the referee who showed Balogun the red card against Bosnia-Herzegovia following a video assistant referee review. Tebas said that the Balogun decision was the "tip of the iceberg" following a series of events which had been "eroding the credibility of Fifa and football in general for many years". The 63-year-old accused Fifa of being a closed shop in which decisions have been made before any vote takes place and without consultation with domestic leagues. "And the worst of all is that much of the football world is aware of it, but too many prefer to maintain a complicit silence," Tebas said on X. "Because staying quiet is more comfortable than defending independence, transparency, and good governance. "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." Why European backlash over Trump intervention won't worry Infantino A shambolic end for the American dream - did Balogun saga play a part? ShortsPreviousNext0:54'A ridiculous decision' says former Uefa chief executive 00:00:54, play video'A ridiculous decision' says former Uefa chief executive 0:24Before Cristiano, Portugal won nothing - Ronaldo. 00:00:24, play videoBefore Cristiano, Portugal won nothing - Ronaldo0:42'Ronaldo means so much' - fans react to his last World Cup game. 00:00:42, play video'Ronaldo means so much' - fans react to his last World Cup game1:19Hart 'forever grateful' for Celtic opportunity. 00:01:19, play videoHart 'forever grateful' for Celtic opportunity0:31How easy is it to interview Messi and Ronaldo at the World Cup? 00:00:31, play videoHow easy is it to interview Messi and Ronaldo at the World Cup?0:51Rooney heaps praise on Ronaldo's mentality. 00:00:51, play videoRooney heaps praise on Ronaldo's mentality0:26Trump praises 'great' Harry Kane. 00:00:26, play videoTrump praises 'great' Harry KaneTop storiesKane and Bellingham: How superstar double act became England's Wonderwall 'Overturn this' - Belgium taunt US and say Trump move fired them up Ronaldo's World Cup career ends in tears as 'pandering' Martinez departs Belgium make light work of US to set up quarter-final tie with Spain. VideoBelgium make light work of US to set up quarter-final tie with Spain A shambolic end for the American dream - did Balogun saga play a part? The man who invented a sport and played tennis with Willy Wonka 'Learn how to lose' - tempers flare in Wimbledon mixed doubles. Video'Learn how to lose' - tempers flare in Wimbledon mixed doubles Why European backlash over Trump intervention won't worry Infantino Fery 'stands tall and takes advantage' to continue dream Wimbledon run The personal story of a dad who took his autistic son to the British Grand Prix England into quarter-finals - what is their path to the final? Copyright © 2026 BBC. The BBC is not responsible for the content of external sites. Read about our approach to external linking.

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