ZURICH: FIFA has confirmed that Chief Operating Officer Kevin Lamour has left the organisation after he publicly criticised President Gianni Infantino’s plan to sell a stake in FIFA’s tournament business.
FIFA said Lamour’s working relationship with the governing body ended on August 17, 2026.
“FIFA thanks Kevin for his two years of service and wishes him the best of luck for the future,” a FIFA spokesperson said.
The organisation added that it would make no further comment on the matter.
FIFA and Lamour Agree to Part Ways
FIFA Secretary General Mattias Grafstrom informed staff and FIFA Council members about Lamour’s departure in a letter on Monday.
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According to Sky News, Grafstrom said FIFA and Lamour had “agreed to part ways” after recent discussions.
Lamour joined FIFA in November 2024. Before that, he worked within Infantino’s close political circle and supported his successful campaign for the FIFA presidency in 2016.
Lamour Criticised Infantino’s Proposal
Lamour publicly challenged Infantino’s tournament business plan last month.
The proposal called for FIFA to create a subsidiary worth around $20 billion. The subsidiary would manage FIFA tournaments, including the World Cup.
FIFA also planned to sell up to a 20% stake in the business to outside investors.
Lamour strongly criticised the proposal. He said FIFA employees had been “deceived” over the plan and called it “the project of one person.”
He also argued that FIFA’s mission should focus on serving football rather than an individual.
Senior Adviser Also Resigned
Lamour’s criticism came just hours after Carlos Cordeiro, a senior adviser to Infantino, resigned over the proposal.
Cordeiro described the plan as “a bad deal for football.”
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The resignations highlighted growing internal opposition to the proposed restructuring.
FIFA Abandoned the Plan
The proposal faced widespread opposition from within and outside FIFA.
Critics questioned the plan to bring external investors into FIFA’s tournament business. The organisation later abandoned the proposal following the backlash.
Lamour’s departure now marks another significant development in the dispute surrounding the plan.
The FIFA leadership has not announced who will replace Lamour as Chief Operating Officer.
