FIFA Fires Director After Open Criticism of Infantino

Kevin Lamour, FIFA's operations director, has been dismissed from his position following his outspoken criticism of FIFA President Gianni Infantino's controversial plans to create a commercial entity allowing private investors access to the organization's tournaments. Sky News and The New York Times reported the termination, which FIFA confirmed occurred on August 17, 2026.

While FIFA did not explicitly link Lamour's dismissal to his public statements, Sky News suggests it was a direct consequence. Lamour had publicly refused to endorse Infantino's proposal to sell stakes in FIFA tournaments. He further described the initiative as a "one-man project" and asserted that FIFA employees had been "misled" by the president. Lamour stated that it was time for football leaders to make "proper decisions," adding, "If it means I lose my job, so be it. I will understand and respect the decision. But at least I will sleep well tonight."

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If it means I lose my job, so be it. I will understand and respect the decision. But at least I will sleep well tonight.

Infantino himself has faced significant backlash over the proposal to sell shares in FIFA tournaments to private investors. In a joint statement issued on August 10, the confederations of North, Central America and Caribbean Football (CONCACAF), the Asian Football Confederation (AFC), and the Union of European Football Associations (UEFA) accused Infantino of breaking trust through deception. The statement, signed by the presidents of these three confederations, declared, "When trust is broken through deception, and a person puts himself above the community that has entrusted him with authority, he has failed his obligation."

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When trust is broken through deception, and a person puts himself above the community that has entrusted him with authority, he has failed his obligation.