Infantino SACKS FIFA executive after criticism under-fire president

FIFA has sacked its chief operating officer, Kevin Lamour, after he criticised president Gianni Infantino's plan to sell off the World Cup. Lamour, a longtime colleague of Infantino at both FIFA and UEFA, said that staff had been 'deceived' by the plan which has now been scrapped following widespread backlash.

Sky News first reported Lamour's departure. While FIFA chose not to comment on the nature of his exit, football's world governing body did offer a statement.

"FIFA can confirm that the working relationship between FIFA and Kevin Lamour as FIFA's Chief Operating Officer has ended on 17 August 2026," the statement read. "FIFA thanks Kevin for his two years of service and wishes him the best of luck for the future."

A letter sent by FIFA secretary general Mattias Grafstrom has also surfaced. It informed FIFA staff about Lamour's departure, with the Frenchman having been with the organisation since November 2024.

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"Following recent discussions, FIFA and our Chief Operating Officer, Kevin Lamour have agreed to part ways," Grafstrom said. "This decision was made after careful consideration and with great respect for Kevin, both personally and professionally.

"Kevin joined FIFA in November 2024 and in this time has overseen a period of significant change, including improved relationships with stakeholders and the delivery of several significant projects of joint interest, amongst many other key achievements.

"You will have seen Kevin present in each FIFA Council meeting since his appointment in 2024, and many of you will have had a regular working relationship with Kevin on projects of various kinds since his joining FIFA.

Is Gianni Infantino's position untenable? Have your say in the comments section.

"I felt it was important that I personally provide you this update and I would like to express my gratitude to Kevin for these contributions and for his work and commitment on behalf of FIFA on a daily basis. I wish Kevin all the best for the future."Last month, Lamour made headlines by saying that he and his colleagues were 'deceived' by Infantino's plan to sell FIFA competitions, including the men's World Cup to private investors, labelling it 'the project of one person'. The 45-year-old also suggested that the under-fire president should step down from the position which he's held since 2016.

"Not only must this project not go ahead," Lamour wrote. "But the time has now come for football political leaders to ask themselves the right questions and make the right decisions."

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