Kevin Lamour Ousted Following Criticism of Infantino

The Fifa chief operating officer, Kevin Lamour, has been sacked after openly criticising Gianni Infantino’s ill-fated plan to sell parts of the World Cup to private investors. Lamour, who joined Fifa less than two years ago from Uefa, publicly opposed Infantino’s controversial FFE scheme, accusing the administration of deception and questioning Infantino’s leadership approach.

Public Opposition and Fallout

Lamour’s stance came to light on 31 July, when he stated that Fifa’s president “believes he embodies Fifa when he is supposed to be at its service.” Lamour also made clear that he would accept losing his job as a consequence of speaking out, saying, “If that means I lose my job, then so be it.” Hours after his remarks, the contentious plan was shelved. His candid criticisms underscored deeper internal dissatisfaction, with Lamour lamenting that many at Fifa no longer feel proud to work under the current leadership due to what he described as “contempt and intimidation.”

Official Departure and Reactions

While the exact circumstances surrounding Lamour’s sacking remain unclear, Fifa confirmed that his tenure ended on 17 August 2026. Secretary General Mattias Grafström informed staff by email, and a Fifa spokesperson thanked Lamour for his service without elaborating further. The events followed the resignation of one of Infantino’s senior advisers, Carlos Cordeiro, who also stepped down in protest against the ill-conceived proposals.

Background and Ongoing Pressure on Infantino

Before joining Fifa, Lamour had served as Uefa’s deputy secretary general since 2007 and enjoyed a longstanding professional relationship with Infantino. His departure marks a striking rupture given this history. Meanwhile, Gianni Infantino remains under intense pressure after the collapse of his World Cup investment scheme, with growing calls for his removal from the helm of world football’s troubled governing body.

Looking Ahead

Kevin Lamour’s sacking highlights the deep divisions and challenges facing Fifa as it navigates leadership crises and questions over governance transparency. The future stability of the organisation may depend on how it manages the fallout from this controversy and addresses internal dissent in the months ahead.

Source: The Guardian Sport