The Independent

·28 July 2026

The Independent

·28 July 2026

Fifa president Gianni Infantino’s latest Instagram post, in which he controversially accused his critics of spreading "hate" during the World Cup, has been strongly rejected as "pathetic" by La Liga president Javier Tebas.

This heated response arrives after Democrats in the United States Congress confirmed an investigation into Infantino, pointing to "mounting evidence of potential corruption and a possible quid pro quo between Fifa and the Trump Administration."

Infantino’s lengthy 15-page social media message after the end of this summer’s World Cup had suggested that those "spending their time and energy hating us" should instead "meditate, pray, or watch a football match." That drew a quick and scathing reply from Tebas.

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Gianni Infantino is being investigated over his relationship with Donald Trump (PA Wire)

Posting on his X account, Tebas said: "Gianni Infantino has written a pathetic message on his Instagram account and on the accounts of @FIFAcom."

He went on to say that while football stands for emotion and unity, "transparency, good governance, and accountability are never hate; they are an obligation." Tebas also challenged Infantino, saying that "strong institutions do not discredit those who ask questions; they answer the questions."

He ended with a direct question: "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?"

The US House Judiciary Committee has summoned Infantino to respond to what it calls "Fifa’s sustained campaign to secure special favours from President Trump – including the dismissal of high-profile corruption cases involving hundreds of millions of dollars tied to Fifa – while American consumers were gouged by exorbitant World Cup ticket prices."

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Tebas has slammed Infantino on social media (Getty)

The Committee’s letter pointed to examples such as the "hilariously fake" Fifa Peace Prize given to President Trump last December at the World Cup draw, and the renting of office space at Trump Tower, describing these as moves intended "to induce President Trump and his Administration to make decisions in Fifa’s favour."

Documents and information linked to the investigation have been asked to be submitted by 10pm BST on August 9.

Fifa has been contacted for comment on these developments.