Arsene Wenger says he first learned of Gianni Infantino’s plan to create a commercial subsidiary of FIFA through media reports and believes it was “absolutely necessary and beyond question” that the proposal was abandoned.
The former Arsenal manager has served as FIFA’s Chief of Global Football Development since 2019. While he is not generally regarded as one of Infantino’s closest allies, Wenger has found himself caught up in the recent fallout after UEFA named him among 18 FIFA officials to receive a document preservation letter ahead of potential legal action.
As one of the most recognisable figures within FIFA, Wenger’s silence on a number of controversies surrounding the governing body has not gone unnoticed, particularly among Arsenal supporters who continue to hold him in the highest regard.
Infantino’s proposal to establish FIFA Forward Enterprise, a commercial vehicle that would have allowed outside investors to buy a stake in the organisation’s competitions, including the World Cup, was met with widespread opposition from confederations, national associations and other stakeholders. The backlash was so fierce that the plans were withdrawn within days.
The political ramifications, however, continue to unfold. UEFA, CONMEBOL and the AFC are now reportedly exploring ways to challenge Infantino’s leadership when he seeks re-election next year.
Whether Wenger sensed the growing pressure on the FIFA president or simply felt compelled to clarify his own position, he has now issued a public statement distancing himself from the proposal. His intervention follows similar moves by FIFA secretary general Mattias Grafstrom and senior adviser Carlos Cordeiro.
“The recent events at Fifa deserve some clarity from my side,” Wenger’s statement read.
“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.
“In addition, I am a technical adviser to IFAB.
“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.”
For many Arsenal supporters, hearing from Wenger will fall firmly into the “better late than never” category. At the same time, it is difficult to ignore how long it has taken for one of football’s most respected voices to speak publicly while FIFA lurched from one controversy to the next.
Infantino’s presidency has repeatedly attracted criticism over its relationship with political leaders, governance and the direction of the game. Ahead of the 2022 World Cup in Qatar, he was heavily criticised for his handling of concerns surrounding the treatment of migrant workers, LGBTQ+ people and women.
More recently, this summer’s World Cup has generated its own controversies, including criticism over ticket pricing, the exclusion of Somali referee Omar Artan from officiating duties, and the decision to overturn Folarin Balogun’s red card following political pressure. The widely mocked decision to award Donald Trump the inaugural FIFA Peace Prize only added to the sense that football had become secondary to politics.
Whether Wenger’s intervention proves significant remains to be seen, but it does add another respected voice to the growing chorus of opposition surrounding Infantino. For a president who has spent much of the past decade consolidating power, public dissent from within FIFA itself is becoming increasingly difficult to dismiss.