FIFA executive Arsene Wenger has stated he was unaware of a controversial plan by FIFA President Gianni Infantino to sell stakes in future World Cup profits to private investors. Wenger, who holds the position of FIFA's chief of global football development, described the decision to withdraw the proposal as "absolutely necessary".

This statement comes in the wake of a significant backlash from global football officials and organizations against Infantino's $20 billion plan. The proposal aimed to create a subsidiary, FIFA Forward Enterprise (FFE), to manage commercial aspects of FIFA's operations, including broadcasting rights and ticket sales for events like the World Cup. Investors were to be offered stakes in FFE, with an "anchor investor" potentially being Thrive Eternal, a firm launched by Joshua Kushner.

Wenger's comments were made public on Tuesday, following confirmation that UEFA had sent a "preservation letter" to FIFA. This legal request, confirmed by European football's governing body, indicated that data and communications from 18 executives, including Wenger, should be retained as potential evidence. "I was not involved in this strategic plan and first became aware of the project through media reports," Wenger stated. He emphasized his belief in "an independent FIFA that serves our game with commitment, transparency, and integrity."

Infantino ultimately withdrew the plan early Saturday after facing widespread opposition, including threats of boycotts from organizations like UEFA. The plan had proposed raising $4.2 billion by selling approximately 20 percent of FFE, based on a $20 billion valuation. FIFA's 211 member federations were offered $20 million each, along with a doubling of their FIFA funding for the four years through 2030 to $20 million from a previously announced $10 million.

The proposed structure would have involved creating a new entity to commercialize FIFA's assets, separating these revenue-generating activities from the non-profit organization's core mission. The involvement of Thrive Eternal, a company associated with Joshua Kushner, whose brother Jared Kushner is a son-in-law of former U.S. President Donald Trump, had also drawn scrutiny.

European football's governing body, UEFA, had previously confirmed sending a legal letter to FIFA concerning the matter but stated it would offer no further comment at that stage. Reports from The Associated Press indicated that lawyers representing UEFA had named Wenger as one of the executives whose information was requested for retention.

The controversy highlights a growing tension between FIFA's commercial ambitions and the concerns of its member associations and continental confederations regarding governance and transparency. The rapid withdrawal of the plan suggests a significant miscalculation by Infantino's administration regarding the level of consensus among key stakeholders.

Questions remain about the extent of internal support for Infantino's proposal within FIFA and the precise timeline and nature of discussions that led to its ultimate abandonment. Wenger's assertion of ignorance, if widely shared among other FIFA executives, suggests a communication breakdown within the organization.