Wenger speaks out on FIFA World Cup plan as Infantino pressure builds | Football | Sport

European football association UEFA were particularly vocal, threatening to pull out of all FIFA events, including the World Cup, if the plan went through. CONCACAF, which oversees football in North and Central America and the Caribbean, also joined the criticism of FIFA’s leadership. Asian Football Confederation president Sheikh Salman bin Ibrahim Al Khalifa was another senior figure who welcomed the U-turn.

And now former Arsenal manager Wenger has shared his view in a statement. The Frenchman works as chief of global football development at the world football governing body.

He said: “The recent events at FIFA deserve some clarity from my side. 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.”

Wenger’s statement on the controversy came after a letter from UEFA’s lawyers to Infantino. The communication threatened legal action and named the former coach among 18 executives whose data and communications should be retained as potential evidence.

Infantino took to his Instagram story to share those messages of support and captioned each statement with a flag of the country and a handshake emoji.

But US. assistant secretary of state for global public affairs Dylan Johnson denied claims that a meeting will take place. FIFA have also come out on Tuesday to describe the claims as ‘pure fiction’.