Fifa COO Kevin Lamour Sacked After Criticising Infantino’s World Cup Sell-Off Plan

Kevin Lamour, the chief operating officer of Fifa, has been dismissed from his position after openly criticising Gianni Infantino’s controversial plan to sell parts of the World Cup to private investors.

Lamour joined Fifa less than two years ago, arriving from a previous role at Uefa. His departure comes amid growing internal tensions within the global football governing body, which has been grappling with a series of governance challenges. The controversy centres on Infantino’s proposed FFE scheme, which aimed to monetise parts of the World Cup by involving private investors — a move that sparked widespread criticism and concerns about the future integrity of the tournament.

During his tenure, Lamour publicly stated that the Fifa administration had been “deceived” regarding the sell-off plan. He also criticised Infantino personally, suggesting that the Fifa president incorrectly views himself as the embodiment of the organisation rather than serving it. These remarks underscored significant disagreements at the highest level of Fifa’s leadership.

Lamour was reportedly aware that his outspoken stance could cost him his job, yet he chose to voice his opposition nonetheless. His dismissal marks a clear indication of the internal power struggles within Fifa and raises questions about the transparency and decision-making processes under Infantino’s presidency.

The sacking of Lamour leaves Fifa at a critical juncture as it continues to face scrutiny over governance and commercial strategies. The outcome of this episode may influence how the governing body approaches future World Cup arrangements and investor involvement.

Looking ahead, Fifa’s next steps will be closely watched by the global football community. The organisation is expected to clarify its position on the FFE scheme and outline how it plans to manage the World Cup’s commercial rights moving forward. Meanwhile, the fallout from Lamour’s departure could prompt further internal reviews and potential changes in Fifa’s executive leadership.

For more details, visit theguardian.com.