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Kevin Lamour, FIFA’s chief operating officer based in Zurich, has departed from his position at soccer’s international governing body, according to reports released Monday. His exit comes shortly after he publicly criticized President Gianni Infantino for withholding information about a controversial proposal to monetize future World Cup revenues through private equity partnerships.
On August 1, Lamour issued a statement to The Associated Press in which he characterized Infantino’s handling of the initiative as a breach of transparency that left staff members in the dark. The same day, senior presidential adviser Carlos Cordeiro also stepped down, calling the $20 billion commercial venture “a bad deal for football.”
A FIFA spokesperson confirmed to the British Press Association that “the working relationship between FIFA and Kevin Lamour as FIFA’s Chief Operating Officer has ended,” while thanking him for two years of service. The organization declined to elaborate further on the circumstances of his departure.
The resignation intensifies pressure on Infantino as he pursues reelection to the presidency. Last week, leaders of three major continental confederations—representing Europe, Asia, and North, Central America and the Caribbean—jointly denounced the World Cup plan as a “fundamental breach of trust” and an act of “deception.”
Following widespread opposition from UEFA and other soccer bodies that threatened boycotts, Infantino withdrew the $20 billion proposal. Despite some national federations withdrawing their backing, six Arab soccer federations publicly declared their continued “full support” and “confidence” in the president this week.
Infantino has led FIFA since 2016 and was expected to run unopposed in next year’s presidential election in Morocco before the commercial subsidiary controversy emerged. The organization has set November 18 as the deadline for candidates to declare their intention to challenge him.
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