Wenger backs scrapping of Infantino’s controversial World Cup investment plan
by Moronfolu Adeyemi · The Eagle OnlineFormer Arsenal manager Arsene Wenger has backed the decision to scrap FIFA President Gianni Infantino’s controversial plan to sell a stake in the World Cup, describing the move as “absolutely necessary and beyond question”.
Wenger, FIFA’s Chief of Global Football Development since 2019, became the latest high-profile football figure to criticise Infantino’s proposal on Tuesday.
Infantino had planned to sell a 20 per cent stake in the World Cup to private equity investors through FIFA Forward Enterprise.
However, the proposal triggered widespread criticism and was rejected by three continental confederations, eventually forcing Infantino to abandon the plan.
UEFA, European football’s governing body, had threatened to boycott the World Cup and other FIFA competitions if the proposal went ahead.
Breaking his silence on the controversy, Wenger stressed that he had no involvement in developing the plan and only learnt about it through media reports.
“The recent events at FIFA deserve some clarity from my side,” Wenger said in a statement.
“At FIFA, I am the Chief of Global Football Development.
“Together with my team, I oversee the data analysis of the game, the FIFA online training centre, the development of youth education through 60 academies across 60 countries where they are most needed, and youth competitions around the world.
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“In addition, I am a technical adviser to IFAB. I was not involved in this strategic plan and first became aware of the project through media reports.
“The decision to withdraw the project was absolutely necessary and beyond question, because I firmly believe in an independent FIFA that serves our game with commitment, transparency, and integrity.”
Wenger’s intervention comes after FIFA’s Chief Operating Officer Kevin Lamour said last week that staff at world football’s governing body had been “deceived” by Infantino.
The controversy has also prompted a number of European football associations to withdraw their support for the FIFA president in an attempt to ensure he does not remain in power in the long term.
Infantino is expected to seek re-election in March for a final term as FIFA president and would require 106 votes from the organisation’s 211 members to win.
The Football Association of Wales confirmed in a statement on Monday that it had withdrawn its support for Infantino.
The English Football Association is also believed to be preparing to write to FIFA to confirm a change in its position.
UEFA, meanwhile, welcomed the withdrawal of the FIFA Forward Enterprise plan in a statement on Saturday but said it had “lost confidence” in Infantino.
Clubs within the European Football Clubs group are also understood to have contacted FIFA to express concerns about the proposal.
Infantino’s plan was intended to cover Club World Cups and would have affected arrangements agreed between European clubs and FIFA to establish a joint venture covering Club World Cup competition rights.
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