FIFA’s Chief of Global Football Development, Arsène Wenger, has said the decision to abandon a controversial plan that would have allowed private investors to buy stakes in FIFA competitions was “absolutely necessary and beyond question.” The proposal, introduced by FIFA President Gianni Infantino, aimed to create a commercial subsidiary responsible for managing FIFA’s major events, including the FIFA World Cup. Under the plan, external investors would have been allowed to acquire shares in the new entity. Infantino had offered FIFA’s 211 member associations $40 million each if they supporte

FIFA’s Chief of Global Football Development, Arsène Wenger, has said the decision to abandon a controversial plan that would have allowed private investors to buy stakes in FIFA competitions was “absolutely necessary and beyond question.” The proposal, introduced by FIFA President Gianni Infantino, aimed to create a commercial subsidiary responsible for managing FIFA’s major events, including the FIFA World Cup. Under the plan, external investors would have been allowed to acquire shares in the new entity. Infantino had offered FIFA’s 211 member associations $40 million each if they supported the proposal. However, the plan faced strong opposition from football stakeholders, including UEFA’s 55 member associations, which reportedly threatened to boycott FIFA tournaments. Following the criticism, FIFA withdrew the proposal. Wenger, who has served as FIFA’s Chief of Global Football Development since 2019, said he was not involved in developing the strategy and only became aware of it through media reports. He stressed the importance of maintaining FIFA as an independent organisation focused on protecting the interests of football. “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 said in a statement. The former Arsenal manager’s comments come amid growing scrutiny over FIFA’s governance and financial plans. One of Infantino’s senior advisers, Carlos Cordeiro, resigned over the controversy, describing the proposal as “a bad deal for football” that could have risked the future of the sport. FIFA Secretary General Mattias Grafström also acknowledged the challenges caused by the situation, describing recent events as difficult for the organisation. However, he urged FIFA staff to remain focused on serving football’s 211 member associations and maintaining professionalism. The debate has renewed calls for greater transparency and accountability in football’s global governing body as FIFA continues to manage the commercial growth of its competitions.

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