FIFA director accuses Infantino of personal World Cup privatization plan amid internal crisis

FIFA Director of Operations Kevin Lamour has accused President Gianni Infantino of driving a personal agenda to privatize the World Cup, asserting the controversial proposal was not an institutional decision. Lamour stated that neither FIFA's administration nor its main bodies were consulted on the initiative.

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The project that has caused so much controversy is not a FIFA project. Much less one of its administration. It is the project of a single person.

"The project that has caused so much controversy is not a FIFA project. Much less one of its administration. It is the project of a single person," Lamour said in a statement to The Associated Press (AP). He claimed that vice-presidents, the FIFA Council, confederations, national federations, clubs, leagues, players, and even FIFA employees were ignored.

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This project not only should not move forward, but it is time for football leaders to ask the right questions and make the right decisions.

Lamour further alleged that FIFA's administration was kept in the dark for months, calling the situation a failure of transparency and good governance. He criticized Infantino's leadership style, arguing that such a significant decision requires dialogue with key stakeholders in world football. "This project not only should not move forward, but it is time for football leaders to ask the right questions and make the right decisions," he added.

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I cannot stand by while FIFA considers selling a stake in the World Cup.

The internal crisis has also seen the resignation of Carlos Cordeiro, an advisor to the FIFA president, who disagreed with the proposal. Cordeiro stated on social media that he could not stand by while FIFA considered selling a stake in the World Cup, calling it a bad deal for member federations, football, and its stakeholders.

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It is a bad deal for member federations, a bad deal for football.