FIFA 'sack' one of Gianni Infantino's most senior officials after public criticism as statement issued
FIFA have reportedly sacked one of Gianni Infantino's most senior officials after he publicly criticised the current presidential incumbent over his private investment proposals.
It was initially reported in The Times that Infantino was planning to sell minority stakes in the World Cup via the private investment route.
The report claimed that Infantino could have become the commissioner of FIFA Forward Enterprise (FFE), a company that was due to be set up to control commercial rights for tournaments and sell off minority stakes, which could have earned him a significantly higher salary than what he currently earns as FIFA president.
The plans were met with fury from across the footballing world, with FIFA member associations stating that Infantino had not presented his proposals to them.
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Infantino wrote to all 211 associations pledging to pay them £30 million each if they supported his proposal, which needed to receive a majority vote to pass.
But many associations quickly withdrew their support and, within days of FIFA's official initial announcement of the plan, it was decided that the private investment proposals were going ahead.
Backing for Infantino has quickly eroded since the saga, with UEFA threatening a boycott of FIFA events including both the men's and women's World Cups.
READ MORE: UEFA come up with new plan to oust Gianni Infantino as fresh FIFA boycott talks proposed
Various national associations have withdrawn their support for Infantino ahead of the next presidential election to be held in March of next year, with CONCACAF president Victor Montagliani among those believed to be considering whether to run against him.
But perhaps the most scathing criticisms of Infantino have come from two of his most senior FIFA figures.
One of his senior advisors, Carlos Cordeiro, stated he was resigning from his role over the proposals, claiming that they were 'a bad deal for the game' and that he had 'no involvement' in drawing them up.
And FIFA's chief operating officer, Kevin Lamour, was highly critical of Infantino, describing his private investment plans as 'the project of one person'.
He added: "Not only must this project not go ahead ... but the time has now come for football political leaders to ask themselves the right questions and make the right decisions.
"And if that means I lose my job, then so be it. I will understand and respect that decision. At least I'll sleep well tonight."
FIFA COO leaves role as statement issued
FIFA have now announced that French official Lamour has left his role as chief operating officer.
FIFA's chief secretary general, Mattias Grafstrom, wrote a letter to staff on Monday which states that FIFA and Lamour 'have agreed to part ways', adding that 'this decision was made after careful consideration and with great respect for Kevin, both personally and professionally'.
But Sky News claim that Lamour was in fact sacked.
When approached by SPORTbible, FIFA stated that they would be making no further comment on the matter beyond their initial statement from a FIFA spokesperson, which reads: "FIFA can confirm that the working relationship between FIFA and Kevin Lamour as FIFA's Chief Operating Officer has ended on 17 August 2026.
"FIFA thanks Kevin for his two years of service and wishes him the best of luck for the future."
Lamour initially joined UEFA in 2006, working under then president Michel Platini, and was part of UEFA general secretary Infantino's bid to become FIFA president in 2014. He was appointed as FIFA's chief operating officer in 2024.
Topics: FIFA, Gianni Infantino, FIFA World Cup
Ryan Smart