Arsène Wenger Is Being Unfairly Targeted Over FIFA Debacle – Opinion

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·4 Agustus 2026

Arsène Wenger Is Being Unfairly Targeted Over FIFA Debacle – Opinion

For a while now there has been an effort by some Gooners to discredit Arsène Wenger.

Which is bizarre, because you won’t find many fanbases who try to pick on the most successful manager in their history.

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Yet some feel that, due to his legacy in the sport, the Frenchman should have taken a moral stance against FIFA’s plans to create a commercial subsidiary.

Why is Wenger expected to carry the burden?

In the last few World Cups we’ve had accusations surrounding corrupt bidding processes, alleged sportswashing, reports from human rights groups about the deaths of migrant workers, concerns that not “everyone was welcome”, online racism, rule changes after direction from the FIFA president, tickets costing thousands of pounds, and much more.

Who went on strike?

The FA? Messi? Ronaldo? Mikel Arteta?

The answer is nobody!

So why is this suddenly the moral hill to die on, and why is the onus on Mr Wenger? That’s not clear to me.

That would have been hard for the 76-year-old to do because, like so many of his peers, he only found out about the plan when it was first reported in the media.

Like many who work for million-pound organisations, you do your job, but you don’t get involved in every business deal your boss is involved in.

If you’re employed in politics, at Facebook, Amazon, healthcare, Costa, or anywhere else, you’re not going to agree with every decision made by those in power.

Wenger was doing the job he was employed to do

One of the 14 executives named in UEFA’s letter this week, Mr Wenger has now felt the need to clarify his role.

He is employed as FIFA’s Chief of Global Football Development.

That involves giving players and coaches opportunities to develop across the world, analysing tournament data, and advising the IFAB on potential law changes.

As he stressed on Tuesday, his job is not to find investors who want to buy shares or invest in future tournaments.

So while the FIFA president wasn’t professionally obliged to involve Mr Wenger in meetings with investors, it again shows how the power has gone to the Swissman’s head that he didn’t think one of the executives you shouldn’t leave in the dark was someone of Mr Wenger’s stature.

Especially considering Mr Wenger’s department would be directly impacted by any changes to funding, competitions, and the future direction of the game.

Yet reportedly even the Secretary-General was kept in the dark.

Think about that for a moment.

Infantino didn’t even feel his second-in-command needed to know about a proposal worth billions.

Has power gone to Infantino’s head?

Infantino spent six weeks in America surrounded by world leaders, celebrities, and immense wealth.

His ego has grown, and he acts like FIFA is a country and he’s the king.

In reality, he doesn’t own FIFA. It’s not his, and it’s certainly not his toy. He’s simply been voted in to run the organisation.

Even with his lack of self-awareness, the 56-year-old surely knows that Mr Wenger is perhaps the one man at corporate level you don’t want dismissing your idea.

UEFA, CONCACAF, and the AFC all made it clear over the weekend there wouldn’t be enough votes in favour of the proposal.

His senior adviser has since resigned in protest, and now colleagues are questioning the lack of transparency.

If he had the ability to read a room, he would resign, but that’s Infantino’s problem.

As for Mr Wenger, it’s not the first time some have tried to tarnish his reputation, and it won’t be the first time they’ve failed.

Once a Gunner, always a Gunner.

Dan Smith

Do you agree with Dan’s view? Should Arsène Wenger have been expected to take a public stand, or has he been unfairly criticised over a decision that wasn’t his to make? Let us know your thoughts in the comments below. _____________________________________________________________________________________________ ADMIN COMMENT

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