Arsene Wenger has distanced himself from Gianni Infantino's plans to sell stakes in the World Cup after FIFA general secretary Mattias Grafstrom took the extraordinary step of condemning his boss's project.
FIFA president Infantino is fighting to remain at the top of the governing body after being forced into a U-turn on his proposals to raise private investment for the commercial and operational aspects of FIFA tournaments.
Former Arsenal boss Wenger, who has served as FIFA's Chief of Global Football Development since 2019, said he was unaware of the plans as the organisation's clean-up operation continues.
Wenger said the recent events at FIFA deserved some clarity from his side. He said that at FIFA, he is the Chief of Global Football Development.
He said that together with his team, he oversees 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, adding that he is also a technical adviser to IFAB.
He said he was not involved in the strategic plan and first became aware of the project through media reports.
Wenger said the decision to withdraw the project was absolutely necessary and beyond question, because he firmly believes in an independent FIFA that serves the game with commitment, transparency and integrity.
Grafstrom's memo to staff
Grafstrom, FIFA's most senior employee and someone who has been mooted as a potential successor to Infantino, reassured colleagues in a private memo that they would be shielded from the instability surrounding the president.
UEFA and Concacaf, the body responsible for North and Central America and the Caribbean, have both called for change at the top of FIFA, with UEFA expressing a loss of confidence in Infantino. England and Wales have both withdrawn their support for Infantino, who is due to stand for re-election in March, and Scotland is understood to have adopted the same stance.
In the company-wide memo, Grafstrom described a sad and reproachable series of events, which he said were thankfully concluded with the project permanently abandoned, and said they should not overshadow the wider reality of FIFA's work.
He said everyone had been thrown into the middle of a turmoil that was difficult to comprehend and accept, but as Secretary General he urged staff to remain focused on what has always united them: serving football and FIFA's 211 member associations, in full compliance with the FIFA Statutes and Regulations.
Assurances to staff
Grafstrom told administration staff they would be defended and safeguarded from the political context they currently face, and said they did not need to worry. He said individuals, unstable moments and unfortunate episodes come and go, while the institution, its mission and its responsibility towards world football continue, which is why staff should keep their professionalism, sense of perspective and composure.
He added that his door remained open to staff and that he would continue to support the teams, their work and the mission every hour of every day for as long as his work is valued by those FIFA serves.
Grafstrom becomes the third FIFA employee to turn against Infantino, following the resignation of senior advisor Carlos Cordeiro last week. Chief operating officer Kevin Lamour also criticised the plans.
