Arsene Wenger Criticised by Norway Boss for His World Cup Comments

• Norway boss Stale Solbakken has called legendary manager Arsene Wenger 'brainwashed'
• Wenger made headlines for his scathing comments about teams protesting at the World Cup
• The former Arsenal boss has been working with FIFA since 2019 after leaving the Gunners

Norway manager Stale Solbakken has launched a scathing attack on former Arsenal boss Arsene Wenger, for his controversial comment that teams which focused on political issues performed badly.

Wenger has worked for FIFA since 2019, after leaving the Gunners after 22 years in charge. He was tasked with promoting technical innovation and proposing rule changes for the global football organisation.

During the early days of the 2022 World Cup, Wenger said players should concentrate on the football instead of highlighting political issues that rose before and during the tournament.

FIFA, led by President Gianni Infantino, warned teams and players that they would face punishment if they wore the OneLove armband in support of LGBTQ+ people, per the Mirror.

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A photo of Germany’s players with their hands over their mouths - to demonstrate that fact they had been stifled and denied freedom of speech - then went viral.

Solbakken criticises Wenger

According to the Evening Standard, Solbakken said Wenger has been brainwashed in his role as FIFA’s Chief of Global Football Development.

The Norwegian said he was surprised that someone he has admired for a long time made such bizarre comments.

“I shudder when I see how the world's most intelligent man, Arsene Wenger, who I have looked up to all these years, has been brainwashed and makes the most stupid statements.”

Speaking in Doha in his role as a member of FIFA’s Technical Study Group, Wenger said teams which took their eye off the ball to focus on political issues did not perform on the field.

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“The teams who were mentally ready, with a mindset to focus on competition and not the political demonstrations [did well].”

The 2022 World Cup has been shrouded by issues surrounding rights of the LGBTQ+ community and the rights of migrant workers, which has sparked debate among football fans.

Wenger praises Martinez

Sports Brief earlier reported on Wenger expressing his delight with the performance of Argentina goalkeeper Emiliano Martinez.

The former Arsenal boss has hailed Martinez’s 'grass to grace' story, following the goalkeeper’s rise from a Gunners reserve to keeping goal at the FIFA World Cup.

Martinez joined the English club as a teenager under Wenger, but was loaned out six times in the 10 years he spent there as playing time was difficult to come by.