FIFA Chief of Global Football Development, Arsene Wenger has come out to support the idea of withdrawing the proposal of private investment into the FIFA competitions, indicatinf the decision was “absolutely necessary and beyond question”.
FIFA and President Gianni Infantino have in the last few days faced the backlash from the wider football community that vehemently opposed the move.
Wenger believes some plans deserve some clarity and he says he got to know about the proposal through media.
“At FIFA, I am the Chief of Gloval Football Development. Together with my team, I oversee the data analysis of the game, the FIFA Online Training Center, 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.” He stated.
He called for transparency and integrity saying, “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.”
Infantino’s proposal seeks to create commercial subsidiary to run FIFA’s main events, including the World Cup tournaments , with external investors able to buy stakes.
FIFA’s 211 member Associations were to receive $40m (about 150BN UGX) each if they backed the proposal.
In the recent statement, FIFA President Infantino came out to say the proposal has been dropped indicating it had become clear the project had “created divisions” that are “no longer in the interest” of its original objective.
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