FIFA’s chief of global football development, Arsène Wenger, stated that Gianni Infantino’s choice to retract a strategy to sell stakes in the World Cup company to private investors was “absolutely necessary and beyond question.”
The former Arsenal manager made his remarks in a statement released on Tuesday, a week after the initial reports about Infantino’s plan to establish FIFA Forward Enterprise (FFE) and sell a 20% stake to private equity surfaced.
This proposal faced rejection from three continental confederations, with UEFA escalating the situation by threatening to boycott the World Cup and other FIFA events if the plan was not abandoned.
Wenger did not express any plans to follow Infantino’s senior adviser, Carlos Cordeiro, in leaving the organization, but he clearly opposed the FFE initiative, emphasizing his belief in FIFA’s role in serving football with “commitment, transparency, and integrity.”
“Recent events at FIFA necessitate some clarification from me,” Wenger stated.
“As the chief of global football development at FIFA, I oversee various initiatives, including data analysis of the game, the FIFA online training center, youth education programs in 60 countries, and youth competitions worldwide.
“Additionally, I serve as a technical adviser to IFAB.
“I was not a part of this strategic plan and learned about the project through media coverage.
“The decision to withdraw the project was absolutely necessary and unquestionable, as I firmly believe in an independent FIFA devoted to serving the game with commitment, transparency, and integrity.”
Wenger’s statement comes amid several European associations withdrawing their support for Infantino, with reports indicating that the Football Association is set to inform FIFA of its change in stance. The Football Association of Wales (FAW) has already publicly announced its withdrawal of support.
– Sources: UEFA threatens Infantino with legal action over World Cup sell-off plan
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– Could Infantino lose FIFA presidency after World Cup plans were rejected?
UEFA released a statement on Saturday, expressing approval of the FFE withdrawal but indicating that it had “lost confidence” in Infantino.
Clubs associated with the European Football Clubs (EFC) group have also reached out to FIFA out of concern regarding the FFE plan, particularly since it impacted agreements made between the EFC and FIFA concerning Club World Cup competition rights.
Currently, FIFA lacks an agreement with the EFC regarding the organization of the 2029 Club World Cup.
Wenger’s remarks were notably less explosive than those of FIFA’s chief operating officer, Kevin Lamour, who recently stated to the Associated Press that staff at the governing body had been “deceived” by Infantino.
FIFA secretary general Mattias Grafstrom, the organization’s second-highest official after Infantino, also reportedly communicated with staff addressing the “sad and reproachable events” of the previous week.
In his letter, first reported by The Athletic, Grafstrom assured staff: “We have all been thrust into a situation that is difficult to understand and accept. You, as members of the administration, will be protected from the political circumstances we currently face. You need not worry.
“Temporary individuals and unfortunate events come and go, but the institution, its mission, and its responsibility to global football persist; thus, we must maintain our professionalism and composure.”
The Scottish Football Association has not publicly declared its position on Infantino but is believed to support UEFA’s stance of lost confidence in him.
Similarly, the Irish Football Association and the Football Association of Ireland have remained silent on the matter.
Debbie Hewitt, chair of the English FA and also a FIFA vice-president and Council member, is believed to be leading efforts to unite national governing bodies to challenge Infantino’s position.
However, it’s acknowledged within the FA that Europe alone cannot force Infantino out, with Asia viewed as a key region for influence. The Asian Football Confederation (AFC) criticized FFE and Infantino’s governance style in a statement on Friday, advocating for an “urgent review” of FIFA practices.
Despite this, the AFC welcomed the withdrawal of FFE and has not joined UEFA in publicly expressing a loss of confidence in Infantino. Some Asian associations, including those from Qatar and the United Arab Emirates, have shown public support for him.
The Saudi federation is reportedly holding elections at the end of August, and public comments regarding FIFA are not expected until after that date.
Information from ESPN’s Mark Ogden and the Press Association contributed to this report.