FIFA chief Kevin Lamour sacked after public rebuke of Gianni Infantino
FIFA chief Kevin Lamour has been sacked just weeks after publicly turning on president Gianni Infantino over his controversial plan to sell a stake in the World Cup’s commercial operation to private investors, reports BritPanorama.
Lamour, who served as FIFA’s chief operating officer, left the organisation less than two years after making the switch from UEFA. His exit follows an extraordinary public rebuke of Infantino and the FIFA Forward Enterprise (FFE) scheme, which ultimately collapsed amid fierce opposition.
In his criticism, Lamour accused FIFA of being “deceived” regarding the plans and claimed Infantino “believes he embodies FIFA when he is supposed to be at its service.” His departure comes after acknowledging that speaking out could jeopardise his position. “If that means I lose my job, then so be it,” he said at the time. “I will understand and respect that decision. At least I’ll sleep well tonight.”
According to reports, Lamour’s departure was confirmed by FIFA secretary general Mattias Grafström, who informed employees that the chief operating officer would be leaving. “FIFA can confirm that the working relationship between FIFA and Kevin Lamour has ended as of 17 August 2026,” a FIFA spokesperson stated, adding that the organisation extends its gratitude for his two years of service.
Lamour’s exit is a significant development in the ongoing turmoil surrounding Infantino, particularly following the collapse of the FFE proposal, which aimed to establish a new company to oversee commercial and ticketing rights for FIFA competitions, with a portion sold to private investors.
Furthermore, Lamour indicated that discontent within FIFA extended beyond his own concerns, suggesting a broader environment of dissatisfaction. “My feeling is that we all want to be proud to work for FIFA, and today, unfortunately, it seems that is no longer the case for many of us,” he remarked. His intervention coincided with the resignation of Carlos Cordeiro, a senior adviser to Infantino, in protest over the proposals.
Lamour’s removal is striking given his lengthy professional relationship with Infantino, having previously served as UEFA’s deputy secretary general since 2007, including during Infantino’s tenure at UEFA. His ousting now amplifies scrutiny of the FIFA president at a time when his leadership is under significant pressure.
As the stakes in world football rise, this episode serves as a pertinent reminder of the precarious balance between power and accountability in the sport. The future landscape of FIFA remains uncertain, shaped by both internal disputes and external expectations.
