Simon Jordan tips Arsene Wenger for new job amid Gianni Infantino FIFA furore

Simon Jordan believes that Arsene Wenger would be the ideal replacement for Gianni Infantino as FIFA President.

Infantino has lost the support of UEFA and other governing bodies after a plan to sell off parts of the World Cup backfired.

Getty

Following the conclusion of the 2024 World Cup, the FIFA President announced FIFA Forward Enterprise (FFE).

This was going to involve moving all of the World Cup’s commercial and operational delivery services into one body.

The commercial value would be shared between all 211 member countries of FIFA.

If voted for, each FA would receive $20million, and the idea was that the remaining stakes would be sold off to private investors, who would then hold a say in the future of the World Cup. But Infantino has since had to withdraw the plans.

Jordan tips Wenger to succeed Infantino

As a result, Jordan believes that Wenger should replace Infantino.

The Frenchman is currently FIFA’s Chief of Global Development.

Speaking about Infantino‘s future on White and Jordan, Jordan said: “If you want the best for sport. Infantino should step aside and let Arsene Wenger run it.

“I disagree with some of Wenger’s ideas, like a World Cup every two years, but that might be because he was influenced by his surroundings.

“I think Wenger was the closest thing to a CEO as we’ve had in football.

“I have spent some time with him, and he is a very, very bright and well-connected man.”

Getty

Jordan: Infantino must go

Jordan also believes that Infantino’s time as FIFA President is over, saying: “I would suggest that Infantino’s days are numbered, but they are numbered for a variety of reasons because there will be better opportunities for him in other walks of life.

“Football is the biggest sport in the world, so the opportunities that exist and the power that comes with it is enormous, but he’s overplayed his hand, and I don’t understand why he would do it so foolishly besides that he’s got carried away.

“What are the material benefits of what Infantino was actually doing When you look at it, all he was doing was bringing forward some advanced money.

“They wanted to sell off their commercial rights, which you can do in a normal business, but they are the regulator.

“You can’t sell the commercial interests of the sport you are supposed to regulate. You are not a commercial entity that can buy and sell football clubs – you are the governing body, you can’t do that. It is malfeasant in its thinking.”

When asked if he would make the FIFA elections, Jordan said: “Depends if he reads the room. If he reads the room, he’ll resign.”

AFP

Wenger’s view

Wenger took a while to speak about Infantino’s plans, but when he did, he swiftly rejected them.

In a statement, he said:  “The recent events at FIFA deserve some clarity from my side.

“At FIFA, I am the Chief of Global Football Development. 

“Together with my team, I oversee the data analysis of the game, the FIFA online training centre, the development of youth education through 60 academies across 60 countries where they are most needed, and youth competitions around the world.

“In addition, I am a technical adviser to IFAB.

“I was not involved in this strategic plan and first became aware of the project through media reports.

“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.”