Wenger and Infantino’s No 2 Grafström criticise ‘sad and reproachable’ World Cup plan

Gianni Infantino’s authority was dealt a further blow after his No 2, the Fifa secretary general Mattias Grafström, called the failed World Cup private investment plan a “sad and reproachable series of events”.

In further evidence that senior Fifa personnel continue to distance themselves from Infantino and his botched scheme, Arsène Wenger issued a statement on Tuesday morning saying the project’s withdrawal was “absolutely necessary and beyond question”. The former Arsenal manager is Fifa’s chief of global development and had publicly been silent about the crisis unfolding in world football.

The comments by Grafström and Wenger follow last week’s resignation of Carlos Cordeiro, a senior advisor to Infantino, and a scathing rebuke from the Fifa chief operating officer, Kevin Lamour, in which he said the administration had been “deceived” by its president.

Grafström spoke out in an email to Fifa staff, seen by the Guardian, referring to an “extraordinary and challenging” week. His message stopped short of criticising Infantino by name and promised to shield colleagues from the strife ravaging their organisation.

In a section referring to the perceived success of this summer’s World Cup, he wrote: “A sad and reproachable series of events – which were thankfully concluded with the FFE project permanently abandoned – for as much as we feel dismayed by them, should not overshadow this reality.

“We have all been thrown into the middle of a turmoil, which is difficult to comprehend and accept, but, as secretary general, I urge you to remain focused on what has always united us: serving football and serving our 211 Member Associations, hand in hand with all relevant stakeholders and in full compliance with the Fifa Statutes and Fifa Regulations.

“I assure you that as members of the administration, you will be defended and safeguarded from the political context we currently experience. You do not need to worry.

“Individuals, unstable moments and unfortunate episodes come and go. The institution, its mission and its responsibility towards world football continue, and that is why we should always keep our professionalism, sense of perspective and composure.”

Such strong words from Infantino’s deputy will heighten the sense that the president is becoming isolated within the upper echelons of his own administration.

Meanwhile Wenger, who assumed his current position in November 2019, confirmed he had been among the many senior Fifa staff sidelined by Infantino’s plan. “I was not involved in this strategic plan and first became aware of the project through media reports,” he said. “The decision to withdraw the project was absolutely necessary and beyond question, because I firmly believe in an independent Fifa that serves our game with commitment, transparency, and integrity.”

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