Kevin Lamour dismissed from his post following public criticism of the president’s controversial strategy to sell off parts of the World Cup rights.
A “mutual agreement”
FIFA’s chief operating officer, Kevin Lamour, has been dismissed from his position after openly criticising president Gianni Infantino over plans to sell a portion of the World Cup’s commercial rights to private entities.
The Frenchman, who had held the role since November 2024, was removed from his post, with football’s world governing body declining to provide specific details regarding the nature of the separation. The move follows a period of heightened internal tension regarding the commercial future of the sport’s flagship tournament.
In a communication to council members, FIFA stated that the departure was decided “by mutual agreement” and expressed its respect for Lamour. However, sources suggest the sacking was far from a surprise to staff members, many of whom anticipated such an outcome following Lamour’s recent comments to the media.
The dismissal underscores the increasingly fraught atmosphere within the organisation as Infantino pushes forward with aggressive commercial strategies that have drawn criticism from various quarters of the football community.
Commercial strategy under scrutiny
Infantino has been developing a sale plan that critics argue could potentially net him personally tens of millions of pounds. Negotiations were reportedly conducted with figures close to the administration of US President Donald Trump, raising further questions about the intersection of football governance and high-level politics.
The proposal to cede control of certain World Cup assets to commercial structures has been condemned by a number of football organisations and prominent sporting figures, who view the move as a threat to the integrity and independence of the game.
FIFA has yet to release an official statement detailing the specific reasons for Lamour’s removal beyond the reference to a mutual agreement, leaving a cloud of uncertainty over the internal dynamics of the federation’s leadership.
