FIFA’s Chief Operating Officer Kevin Lamour has departed from the organization following his public criticism of President Gianni Infantino’s proposal to sell a share in FIFA’s tournament business, which includes the prestigious World Cup. The separation was officially confirmed by FIFA on Monday, with a spokesperson acknowledging Lamour’s two-year tenure and wishing him success in his future endeavors. The decision to part ways was mutually agreed upon after discussions between Lamour and FIFA Secretary General Mattias Grafstrom, as reported by Sky News.
Lamour had expressed his opposition to the plan in the past month, accusing FIFA staff of being misled and labeling the initiative as the brainchild of a single individual. He emphasized that FIFA’s primary objective should be to serve football and not the personal agenda of any individual claiming to represent the organization.
Earlier, Carlos Cordeiro, a senior adviser to Infantino, had resigned in protest against the proposal, denouncing it as detrimental to the sport. Lamour had joined FIFA in November 2024, having previously been associated with Infantino’s close circle during the 2016 presidential campaign.
The controversy surrounding Infantino’s plan to involve private investors in FIFA’s commercial interests has sparked significant backlash within the football community, with concerns raised about the potential impact on the integrity and future editions of the World Cup.