- Wenger backed FIFA’s decision to withdraw the plan
- UEFA opposed the proposed private investment
- The controversy led to Cordeiro’s resignation
FIFA’s Chief of Global Football Development, Arsene Wenger, has endorsed the decision to abandon a controversial proposal that sought to introduce private investment into the organisation’s flagship competitions, describing the move as the only appropriate course of action.
The proposal, championed by FIFA President Gianni Infantino, aimed to establish a commercial subsidiary that would oversee major tournaments, including the men’s and women’s FIFA World Cups, while allowing external investors to acquire minority stakes in the business, Eko Hot Blog gathered.
As part of the initiative, FIFA reportedly offered $40 million to each of its 211 member associations in exchange for support for the project.
However, the plan faced widespread resistance from football stakeholders around the world. UEFA and its 55 member associations threatened to boycott FIFA competitions if the proposal proceeded, forcing the world football governing body to withdraw the initiative.
Reacting to the development, Wenger said he had no role in developing the proposal and only became aware of it after it was reported in the media.
In a statement released by FIFA, the former Arsenal manager said the decision to withdraw the project was unavoidable, stressing that FIFA must remain an independent organisation guided by transparency, integrity and commitment to the game.
Wenger, who has headed FIFA’s global football development department since 2019, is responsible for football development programmes, youth competitions, technical analysis and online education initiatives.
He had previously supported Infantino’s unsuccessful campaign to hold the FIFA World Cup every two year
The controversy has continued to generate legal and governance concerns. Wenger is among 18 FIFA officials named in a document preservation request issued by UEFA as the European football body considers possible legal action over the abandoned investment proposal.
The fallout has also claimed a senior FIFA official. Carlos Cordeiro, Infantino’s adviser on global strategy and governance, resigned after criticising the proposal, describing it as a poor deal that would have compromised the future of world football.
