FIFA Chief Operating Officer Fired for Publicly Opposing Plans to Sell World Cup

FIFA has officially confirmed that it terminated its partnership with Chief Operating Officer Kevin Lamour on August 17.

This high-level personnel change stems from Lamour's previous public opposition to FIFA President Gianni Infantino's business plan to sell part of the World Cup's rights to private investors.

Previously, Infantino's proposed investment plan had sparked huge controversy. Lamour had issued a public statement strongly protesting, pointing out that FIFA's management had been misled and criticizing Infantino for believing he represented the entire organization when he was supposed to be serving the institution.

In his statement, Lamour said that employees deserve respect, not contempt and threats, and he also made it clear that he was prepared to be dismissed for expressing dissent. Following Lamour's public statement and the resignation of senior advisor Carlos Cordeiro in protest, the sale was abruptly shelved at the end of July.

FIFA's General Secretary subsequently informed all staff of Lamour's departure via internal email. An official spokesperson later released a brief statement thanking Lamour for his work over the past two years but stating that no further comment would be made.

Lamour previously served as UEFA's deputy secretary general for many years and worked with Infantino for a long time. Although the plan to sell the World Cup has been halted, the resulting management turmoil continues, and Infantino still faces immense public pressure and pressure to resign.

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