A plan binned, a clear stance
FIFA’s plan to open its competitions to private investors has been scrapped. Arsene Wenger, FIFA’s global head of football development, said the decision was “absolutely necessary” on Tuesday.
The former Arsenal manager was at pains to point out that he had nothing to do with the proposal, saying he only learned about it in the press.
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A logical move after UEFA’s revolt
The proposal had Gianni Infantino’s fingerprints all over it. At the end of July, UEFA warned FIFA that no national team from the European confederation would take part in its competitions if the reform went through. The 55 European federations had spoken with one voice against bringing outside capital into football’s governance.
That pressure appears to have carried real weight inside FIFA.
Wenger, a voice that matters
Wenger’s intervention is no small matter. The former Arsenal boss has held a senior role at FIFA since 2019 and rarely speaks out on the body’s internal rows.
His public stance confirms just how badly the original plan was received. For now, at least, it closes a file that had FIFA and UEFA at each other’s throats.
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