The International Football Federation (FIFA) has fired its chief operating officer, Kevin Lamour, after he criticized president Gianni Infantino's plans to sell a stake in the competitions to private investors.
"FIFA can confirm that the employment relationship between FIFA and Kevin Lamour, Chief Operating Officer, has ended on 17 August 2026. FIFA thanks Kevin for his two years of service and wishes him well for the future. There will be no further comment on this matter," a FIFA spokesperson said, as reported by Sky.
Lamur said on July 31 that employees at the world football body had been "misled" because Infantino had not been open about planning a project with private investors to sell shares in competitions and that such plans must not be realized.
Lamour, one of Infantino's closest aides, told the Associated Press at the time that "employees deserve better than contempt and intimidation."
"It is a one-man project. Not only must this project not be realized... but now is the time for political leaders in football to ask the right questions and make the right decisions," said Lamur, a long-time associate of Infantino at both FIFA and UEFA.
Lamur did not resign from the position he has held since 2024, but said he has an obligation to his colleagues.
"If it means I lose my job, so be it. I will understand and respect that decision. At least I will sleep peacefully tonight," Lamur said at the time.
Sky reported that FIFA employees have been informed of the departure of the 45-year-old French official.
Infantino has lost the support of UEFA, the Asian Football Confederation (AFC) and the Confederation of Caribbean, Central and North American Football (CONCACAF) over plans to sell 20 percent of the World Cup's commercial rights to private investors.
After much pressure, those plans fell through.
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