Arsene Wenger, FIFA's chief of global football development, has publicly endorsed Gianni Infantino's decision to abandon a controversial plan to sell stakes in a World Cup company to private investors. The former Arsenal manager described the move as "absolutely necessary and beyond question."
Wenger's statement on Tuesday follows intense scrutiny over Infantino's proposal to establish Fifa Forward Enterprise (FFE) and offload a 20 per cent share to private equity firms. The initiative faced significant opposition, including outright rejection from three continental confederations and a boycott threat from UEFA.
The Frenchman clarified he was not involved in the strategic plan and first learned of it through media reports. He asserted his belief in an independent FIFA that serves the game with "commitment, transparency, and integrity."
Wenger's intervention comes as a growing number of European football associations withdraw their support for Infantino. The Football Association of Wales has publicly stated its withdrawal, and the Football Association is understood to be writing to FIFA to confirm a change in position. UEFA also declared on Saturday that it had "lost confidence" in Infantino's leadership.