FIFA’S chief of global football development Arsene Wenger says Gianni Infantino’s decision to withdraw from a plan to sell stakes in a World Cup company to private investors was “absolutely necessary and beyond question.”

Former Arsenal manager Wenger issued a statement this morning, a week on from the first reports emerging about Infantino’s plan to create Fifa Forward Enterprise (FFE) and sell a 20 per cent stake in it to private equity.

The plan was rejected by three continental confederations, with Uefa going further and threatening to boycott the World Cup and other Fifa competitions if it was not dropped.

Wenger did not indicate any intention to follow Infantino’s senior adviser Carlos Cordeiro in quitting the organisation, but made clear he was opposed to the FFE plan, saying he believed in Fifa serving the game with “commitment, transparency, and integrity.”

“The recent events at Fifa deserve some clarity from my side,” the Frenchman said in a statement.

“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.

“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.”

Wenger’s statement comes with a number of European associations withdrawing their support for Infantino, with the FA understood to be writing to Fifa to confirm the change in its position on Monday.

That followed Uefa issuing a statement on Saturday welcoming the withdrawal of the FFE plan but stating it had “lost confidence” in Infantino.

Wenger’s statement was certainly less explosive than the one issued last Friday by Fifa’s chief operating officer Kevin Lamour, who told the Associated Press that staff at the global governing body had been “deceived” by Infantino.

Fifa secretary general Mattias Grafstrom, the organisation’s second-most senior figure behind Infantino, is also understood to have written to staff at the organisation addressing the “sad and reproachable events” of the last week.

In the letter, first reported by The Athletic, Grafstrom is understood to have written: “We have all been thrown into the middle of a turmoil, which is difficult to comprehend and accept.

“I assure you that you 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.”

Debbie Hewitt, the chair of the English FA and also a Fifa vice-president and Fifa Council member, is understood to be leading the national governing body’s efforts to form alliances to challenge Infantino’s position.