Wenger Weighs Bid to Challenge Infantino for FIFA Leadership

However, that support could be tested if Wenger stands.

Wait, I need rewrite. Let’s final with rewritten body.

Actually final should be clean. Let’s produce:

That backing could soon face scrutiny if Wenger decides to contest the race.

Fifa’s head of global development would then have the support of Uefa, which has led opposition to Infantino, and would bring considerable credibility across the football world.

Sources close to Wenger say he has yet to decide whether to stand, though they maintain that Infantino remains the favourite to secure a fourth and final term in next year’s election.

Candidates have until 18 November to confirm whether they will stand against Infantino in the election scheduled for March.

Former Tottenham defender Ramon Vega was the first person to put his name forward in October.

Japan Football Association honorary president Kozo Tashima has also announced his intention to stand.

This month, Fifa said “key documents” concerning Infantino’s plan to sell World Cup stakes would be made available to members of its council, but they would have to travel to its Zurich base and gain access under “strict protocols”.

Last month, Uefa gave football’s world governing body until 2 November to release details about the controversial Fifa Forward Enterprise (FFE) proposal and answer questions related to its decision-making.

That followed a council meeting at which Infantino apologised for the abandoned sell-off plot but failed to explain how the proposal was devised, asking that questions be submitted in writing.

Amid the fallout over the FFE, Wenger, who had traditionally remained loyal to Infantino, distanced himself from the abandoned plot.

“I was not involved in this strategic plan and first became aware of the project through media reports,” Wenger said at the time.

“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.”

Wenger has caused controversy at times in his Fifa role, notably for proposals such as biennial World Cups and a “daylight” offside law.

But he also has a global profile, including in Africa, where Infantino recently received a major re-election boost after the backing of all 54 member national associations, following a promise of increased funding.

Known as a champion of African players during his time at Arsenal, Wenger’s support for an expanded 48-team World Cup intended to drive development in countries beyond football’s traditional powers has been well received on the continent.