Top FIFA officials distance themselves from Infantino's World Cup sell-off plan
Senior FIFA executives, including Arsène Wenger, have distanced themselves from President Gianni Infantino's controversial $20 billion plan to sell future World Cup profits to private investors. The proposal has caused significant internal turmoil and criticism regarding transparency within the organization.
Why it matters
Signals a potential leadership crisis within FIFA as top officials openly challenge the president's unilateral decision-making.
GENEVA -- Two senior FIFA executives — coaching great Arsène Wenger and CEO-like secretary general Mattias Grafström — distanced themselves Tuesday from their boss Gianni Infantino’s failed plan to sell stakes in future World Cup profits to private investors.
Wenger said in a statement he knew nothing of the $20 billion plan and that it was “absolutely necessary” to drop the proposal, and Grafström sent an email to all FIFA staff — seen by The Associated Press — calling the last week a “sad and reproachable series of events.” He also said it created “turmoil which is difficult to comprehend and accept.”
Neither directly named Infantino or offered support for the now-embattled president.
Get smarter about the news
Sign up free for a feed built around what you actually care about, Dive Deeper research on any story, and the full text of every article.
Create free accountAlready have an account? Sign in