The South American Football Confederation (CONMEBOL) has strongly condemned the “extremely unfortunate statements” made by Arsene Wenger, FIFA’s director of football development, regarding his speech last May regarding “Europe” and “the rest of the world”.
In a statement on Tuesday, the federation said: CONMEBOL rejects and condemns the extremely regrettable statements of a senior FIFA official, who is very close to the presidency of the institution occupied by the Swiss Gianni Infantino.
The former Arsenal coach said during a conference of German coaches on May 24 in Freiburg that the French striker: Kylian Mbappe is of African origin, but he trained in Europe. If he had been born in Cameroon, he would not have become the striker he is today.
The 72-year-old added: “There is Europe and the rest of the world, and the rest of the world needs help, otherwise we will lose a lot of talent.”
The Confederation, headed by Paraguayan Alejandro Dominguez, saw Wenger: In addition to revealing an extraordinary ignorance of the valuable contribution of African players to world football, especially European football, he displays a humiliating bias that renders invisible the efforts of footballers and sports institutions not located in Europe.
“We, South Americans, know well and from experience this kind of attitude that stems from the belief that the world begins and ends in Europe,” he said, adding: “The talent, the spirit of sacrifice and the desire of players from Africa and South America to succeed, should be valued and respected.”
CONMEBOL also complained that: “Neither it nor its member associations were asked for an opinion or analysis” on the decision of the International Football Association Board (IFAB) on Monday to finally adopt the five-substitution rule.
He said: “If a decision regarding changes that have global impacts in our sport is taken unilaterally, it can generate discomfort and skepticism. It is an exclusive practice that has been repeated in recent times and is causing great concern.
