Louis Saha doesn't mince words when it comes to Gianni Infantino. In an interview with Wettbasis.com , the former French international criticizes the direction taken by the FIFA president, whom he accuses of prioritizing financial interests over football, players, and fans. The former Manchester United striker believes that the head of world football acts too autocratically and must be held accountable for his decisions.
"Infantino has taken the wrong direction."
Louis Saha first questions the way Gianni Infantino is carrying out his responsibilities as head of FIFA. According to him, decisions that will shape the future of football cannot depend on individual choices or negotiations conducted without genuine consultation : "Everyone should be responsible for their actions, especially when they seem to stem from individual decisions. I therefore think that it is according to his own will, his own negotiations, that he believes he can do these kinds of things before presenting his proposals. It's simply unfair to football."
For the former French international, the way football works should instead be based on consulting those who make it happen : "Football should be a matter of consultation. I think he has taken the wrong direction and that the reaction of the public, of all football supporters, has made him understand that he does not own football."
"He doesn't own football."
Saha insists on this point: however powerful the FIFA president may be, football does not belong to him. And his refusal to allow the sport to be monopolized is not limited to the leaders of international governing bodies : “We all believe that, yes, football is a business and that it must be approached from different angles. But football should not belong to anyone, not even to private investors.” The former striker therefore does not deny the economic reality of professional football. However, he refuses to allow commercial considerations to become the primary driver of its development.
The Super League compared to an "attack on football"
Louis Saha uses the European Super League as an example to defend his vision of football. The project, which provoked massive opposition from many fans when it was launched in 2021, represents, in his view, the kind of transformation against which football must continue to protect itself : “I think this is an important moment for football to understand that it must always defend its values. Remember the Super League a few years ago: it was also an attack on football. It resembled a model imported from the United States. We are not American football. We are football, and it must be respected. Our values are based on merit and the fans.” Saha thus places sporting merit and the fans at the heart of the model he advocates.
"The players were not respected."
The former Manchester United player also criticizes the emphasis placed on commercial considerations. He believes that players have paid part of the price for this evolution and calls for a shift in priorities : “For so many years, we have seen that football players have not been respected. Infantino has stated that the next steps should be about the next commercial direction. No, they shouldn't. The next step should be about protecting the quality of football, the integrity of the players, and allowing fans to experience more of what we love.” For Saha, the quality of football, player protection, and the fan experience must therefore take precedence over the pursuit of new commercial opportunities.
"Football is losing its way."
The criticism becomes even more direct when Louis Saha describes the current state of the sport : “Right now, I’m telling everyone: football is losing its way. Do you think it’s all about money? No. Sometimes it’s about the quality of our sport and being the best possible ambassador for the younger generation.” The former French international believes this responsibility falls squarely on the FIFA president. In his view, the president must embody and defend the values of football for new generations.
"He represents the money of football."
Louis Saha concludes his indictment with his harshest words against Gianni Infantino : "The FIFA president should represent that. He doesn't. He represents football's money, and that's not right." A direct attack from the former French international, who accuses the FIFA president of having placed commercial interests at the forefront of his governance.
