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Scrapping Infantino’s World Cup plan was ‘absolutely necessary’ - Wenger
🇳🇬 Nigeria /Sports

Scrapping Infantino’s World Cup plan was ‘absolutely necessary’ - Wenger

From Vanguard · () English

Summarized and contextualized by DistantNews.

At a glance

News From a news agency Outcome reported
  • Arsène Wenger, FIFA's chief of global football development, called the decision to scrap Gianni Infantino's plan to sell World Cup stakes "absolutely necessary."
  • Wenger stated he was not involved in the plan and learned of it through media reports, emphasizing his belief in an independent and transparent FIFA.
  • The plan faced significant criticism and opposition from continental confederations and UEFA, leading Infantino to withdraw it.

Arsène Wenger, FIFA's chief of global football development, has publicly backed the decision to abandon a controversial plan by FIFA President Gianni Infantino to sell stakes in the World Cup. Wenger described the withdrawal of the "FIFA Forward Enterprise" scheme, which aimed to sell a 20 percent stake to private equity investors, as "absolutely necessary and beyond question."

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.

— Arsène WengerWenger explained his support for abandoning Infantino's World Cup stake sale plan.

Wenger, appointed to his role in 2019, clarified that he was not involved in the strategic planning of the enterprise and only became aware of the project through media reports. He emphasized his commitment to an "independent FIFA that serves our game with commitment, transparency, and integrity."

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.

— Arsène WengerWenger outlined his role within FIFA to provide clarity on his position.

The proposed sale had drawn widespread criticism, with UEFA, European football's governing body, even threatening a boycott of FIFA competitions. Three continental confederations had already rejected the plan, forcing Infantino to abandon the divisive idea.

I was not involved in this strategic plan and first became aware of the project through media reports.

— Arsène WengerWenger clarified his lack of involvement in the controversial FIFA Forward Enterprise plan.

This move by Wenger adds another high-profile voice to the chorus of disapproval. FIFA's chief operating officer, Kevin Lamour, had previously stated that staff were "deceived" by Infantino regarding the plan. Several European football associations, including the Football Association of Wales, have withdrawn their support for Infantino ahead of his re-election bid in March.

staff at the global governing body had been 'deceived' by Infantino.

— Kevin LamourFIFA's chief operating officer commented on the circumstances surrounding the World Cup stake sale plan.
DistantNews Editorial

Originally published by Vanguard. Summarized and contextualized by our editorial team with added local perspective. Read our editorial standards.

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