Fifa private money plan had to be scrapped – Wenger
Fifa president Gianni Infantino's proposal to establish a commercial subsidiary that would allow external investors to acquire stakes in the organisation's flagship competitions, including World Cups, has been permanently shelved following intense criticism. The plan, which included offers of $40m to each member association in exchange for support, collapsed after Uefa's 55 nations signalled their intention to boycott all Fifa tournaments and faced additional pressure from multiple quarters within the organisation itself.
Arsene Wenger, Fifa's chief of global football development, declared that abandoning the initiative was essential for preserving the governing body's credibility and independence. Senior adviser Carlos Cordeiro resigned over the proposal, calling it fundamentally detrimental to football's future, whilst secretary general Mattias Grafstrom described the episode as regrettable and "difficult to comprehend and accept." Wenger emphasised in a statement that he had been unaware of the proposal until learning of it through media reports, and subsequently demanded that Fifa demonstrate greater commitment to transparency and integrity in its operations.
- Fifa abandoned its plan to commercialise major tournaments through private investment after widespread opposition from member nations and internal backlash
- Multiple senior officials distanced themselves from the proposal, with one resigning and others condemning it as damaging to football's independence
- Wenger stated the withdrawal was necessary for maintaining Fifa's integrity, though he had not been consulted on the original plan