FIFA Confirms COO Kevin Lamour's Departure After Criticising Infantino's Private Investment Plan
SCMP · 2 SOURCESabout 2 hours ago2 MIN
Summary
FIFA confirmed on Monday that Chief Operating Officer Kevin Lamour has left the governing body, weeks after he publicly criticised President Gianni Infantino's plan to sell a stake in its tournament business, including the World Cup . The Frenchman served as FIFA's third highest-ranking official before his departure took effect on August 17, 2026 . Lamour had been one of the most senior figures to speak out against Infantino's proposal to create a US$20 billion subsidiary to run competitions and sell up to a 20% stake to external investors . His resignation came hours after senior adviser Carlos Cordeiro stepped down in protest at the same plan . FIFA subsequently abandoned the proposal following backlash from member federations and governing bodies .
Key Points
- Kevin Lamour served as FIFA COO since November 2024, having previously been part of Infantino's inner circle during his 2016 presidential campaign
- Lamour publicly stated FIFA staff had been "deceived" and described the private investment plan as "the project of one person"
- Secretary General Mattias Grafstrom informed staff and Council members that both parties had "agreed to part ways" following recent discussions
- Uefa, Concacaf, and the Asian Football Confederation issued a joint letter declaring "football belongs to no individual" in opposition to the plan
- Former Arsenal manager Arsène Wenger, now FIFA's chief of global football development, said abandoning the proposal was "absolutely necessary"
Why It Matters
The departure marks the first time Infantino's position has faced serious threat since he was elected president in 2016, highlighting deep divisions within FIFA's leadership over the commercialisation of football's flagship competitions . The controversy underscores growing tensions between football's governing bodies and proposals that could fundamentally alter how the sport is owned and governed .
The departure marks the first time Infantino's position has faced serious threat since he was elected president in 2016, highlighting deep divisions within FIFA's leadership over the commercialisation of football's flagship competitions . The controversy underscores growing tensions between football's governing bodies and proposals that could fundamentally alter how the sport is owned and governed .