Fifa private money plan had to be scrapped - Wenger
Gianni Infantino was forced to withdraw plans for external investors in World Cups after facing severe backlash and boycott threats from UEFA.
Stock photo for illustration only, not from the actual event
- Gianni Infantino planned a commercial subsidiary to run major events including World Cups
- Member associations were offered $40m each to back the proposal
- UEFA's 55 nations threatened a complete boycott of all Fifa tournaments
Fifa president Gianni Infantino's ambitious blueprint to establish a commercial subsidiary that would manage marquee tournaments like the World Cup—allowing external investors to acquire stakes—has collapsed following days of heavy criticism and resistance.
Infantino had dangled an offer of $40m, roughly £30m, to each of Fifa's 211 member associations in exchange for their backing of the initiative. However, the proposal met fierce opposition, culminating in all 55 UEFA member nations threatening to boycott every single Fifa tournament, leaving Infantino with no choice but to abandon the strategy.
Arsene Wenger, who has served in a role overseeing football data analysis, online training, and youth competitions since 2019 and previously backed Infantino's biennial World Cup proposal, clarified that he was entirely detached from this commercial venture and only learned of it via media reports.
I was not involved in this strategic plan and first became aware of the project through media reports. 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.
Arsene Wenger
Stock photo for illustration only, not from the actual event
This sudden retreat highlights the deep governance tensions within global football administration, particularly the delicate power dynamic between Fifa and European football authorities. Introducing private equity into the world's most lucrative sporting events raises valid concerns regarding commercialization versus sporting integrity, making collective pushback from powerful confederations like UEFA a potent check on presidential overreach.
Wenger is notably one of 18 Fifa officials named in a document preservation letter sent by UEFA as they weighed potential legal action. Meanwhile, Fifa secretary general Mattias Grafstrom addressed staff in an internal memo, describing the preceding week as extremely turbulent while urging personnel to maintain their professionalism and remain dedicated to serving global football.
Source: BBC Sport
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