Arsene Wenger has no plans to leave FIFA despite becoming embroiled in the escalating row surrounding the governing body's abandoned World Cup investment proposal.
The former Arsenal manager has been named in a letter sent by UEFA as European football's governing body considers formal action against FIFA following the collapse of Gianni Infantino's controversial plan to sell stakes in the World Cup to private investors.
Infantino was forced to abandon the proposal on Saturday after fierce opposition from football's leading confederations, but the fallout continues to intensify.
According to a report by The Times, UEFA has instructed Wenger and 13 other senior FIFA executives to preserve documents and electronic communications connected to the proposed transaction while legal options remain under consideration.
In the letter, UEFA wrote: "Uefa hereby gives formal notice that it is actively considering legal action, arbitration, and/or regulatory complaints arising out of and in connection with the FFE [FIFA Forward Enterprise] plan proposed by FIFA and all related matters."
The correspondence continued: "You and Fifa are required to take immediate steps to identify, locate, and preserve all documents and electronically stored information described in this notice that are in your or Fifa's possession, custody, or control."
The latest development comes as pressure mounts on FIFA president Infantino, whose position has come under increasing scrutiny following widespread opposition to the now-abandoned proposal.
However, Wenger is reportedly determined to remain in his current role despite the growing uncertainty surrounding FIFA's leadership.
The 76-year-old is said to believe he still has an important role to play in developing the game, with the report claiming he sees his work as a "mission to help youth football across the world".
Wenger joined FIFA in 2019, a year after ending his 22-year spell as Arsenal manager, taking on the position of head of global football development.
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His responsibilities include overseeing projects aimed at expanding the sport worldwide, while also contributing to discussions surrounding changes to the Laws of the Game and the structure of FIFA competitions.
Infantino, meanwhile, is facing mounting resistance from several of world football's most influential organisations.
Support for the FIFA president has weakened significantly in recent days, with both the English FA and the Football Association of Wales among those to withdraw their backing.
The controversy has also fuelled discussions over the future of international football's flagship tournament.
After previously warning they could boycott the World Cup if the investment proposal proceeded, senior figures from UEFA, Concacaf and the Asian Football Confederation are now prepared to explore launching a rival international competition should Infantino remain in office.
The proposed investment scheme would reportedly have delivered a dramatic increase in Infantino's earnings, with his salary potentially rising from around £2.6million to as much as £47m if the deal had gone ahead.
Infantino has also faced criticism over other decisions during the World Cup, including his intervention in the suspension of United States striker Folarin Balogun.
The FIFA president overturned the forward's one-match ban following an alleged phone call with US President Donald Trump, a move that attracted widespread criticism during the tournament.
While FIFA's investment plans have now been shelved, the political battle surrounding the organisation shows little sign of easing, with the fall-out poised to continue in the coming weeks.
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