FIFA’s chief operating officer, Kevin Lamour, has been fired by the governing body, less than three weeks after he harshly criticized the management of its president, Gianni Infantino. Aborted plan to sell shares in contests to private investors.they told BBC Sport.
In a statement, a FIFA spokesperson simply confirmed that “the working relationship between FIFA and Kevin Lamour as chief operating officer ended on August 17, 2026.
“FIFA thanks Kevin for his two years of service and wishes him the best of luck for the future.”
FIFA staff were informed of the news in an email by its secretary general Mattias Grafstrom on Monday afternoon, who told them that the organization and Lamour had “agreed to part ways.”
Last month, Lamour described the controversial Fifa Forward Enterprise (FFE) plans as “one person’s project” and said “the time has come for football’s political leaders to ask the right questions and make the right decisions.”
He added that FIFA’s own administration was “misled” about the now-abandoned project.
“Our mission – the mission of the hundreds of passionate, dedicated and exemplary employees of FIFA – is to serve football,” he added.
“A president must bring people together, unite them and inspire them. Today we are experiencing the opposite.”
Lamour acknowledged that he had a duty of loyalty to his employer, but also to “certain values” and support of his colleagues.
“If that means I lose my job, so be it,” he added. “I will understand and respect that decision. At least I will sleep well tonight.”
Lamour joined FIFA in November 2024, having previously worked as UEFA deputy general secretary and serving two levels of management below Infantino.
Earlier this month, Infantino was backed by senior executives at a meeting in Morocco, but BBC Sport was told Lamour was not invited.
Lamour has been contacted for comment.
In a letter sent to FIFA Council members and seen by BBC Sport, Grafstrom wrote: “I would like to provide you with an important update regarding a change within the FIFA Administration.
“Following recent discussions, FIFA and our Chief Operating Officer, Kevin Lamour, have agreed to part ways. This decision was made after careful consideration and with great respect for Kevin, both personally and professionally… I felt it was important to personally provide you with this update and would like to express my gratitude to Kevin for these contributions and for his work and commitment on behalf of FIFA on a daily basis. I wish Kevin all the best for the future.”
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