Wenger: FIFA's World Cup U-turn 'necessary'

FIFA's chief of global football development Arsène Wenger publicly backed Gianni Infantino's decision to abandon the FIFA Forward Enterprise (FFE) plan, calling it 'absolutely necessary and beyond question.' The FFE proposal, which would have sold a 20% stake in a World Cup company to private equity investors, was rejected by three continental confederations, with UEFA threatening to boycott the World Cup if it proceeded. Wenger issued a statement on Tuesday distancing himself from the failed plan, emphasizing his belief in FIFA operating with 'commitment, transparency, and integrity,' while stopping short of resigning like senior adviser Carlos Cordeiro.