Wenger backs decision to scrap Infantino’s controversial World Cup proposal

FIFA president Gianni Infantino's proposal to sell a stake in future World Cup profits to private investors has been scrapped. The plan, which aimed to raise $4.2 billion, was met with fierce resistance from stakeholders, including UEFA, which threatened to boycott all FIFA events and competitions. According to UEFA, a document preservation letter was sent to FIFA, notifying them to retain data, documents, and electronic messages as potential evidence.

Infantino's leadership is under intense scrutiny, with several member associations, including Wales and potentially England, withdrawing their support for his re-election as FIFA president. The English Football Association is preparing to send a letter to FIFA to withdraw its backing, piling more pressure on Infantino.

Within FIFA, secretary general Mattias Grafstrom described Infantino's failed plan as a "sad and reproachable series of events" in an internal staff email, obtained by Sky News. Grafstrom, who joined FIFA from UEFA 10 years ago, also urged staff to remain focused on serving football and its 211 member associations.

Brief written by urgent.news from Punch Nigeria, The Island Sri Lanka, The National UAE, Yahoo Sports, Free Malaysia Today — 5 reports on this story. Machine-written — may contain errors; check the original before relying on it.