FIFA operations director denounces that employees were deceived by Infantino's proposal

FIFA's Director of Operations, Kevin Lamour, has publicly denounced a controversial initiative to open the World Cup to private investors, asserting that the organization's administration was deliberately misled. Lamour described the project as the singular vision of "one person" and argued forcefully that it should not move forward. In a statement to the Associated Press, he detailed how FIFA's vice-presidents, council members, confederations, federations, players, leagues, clubs, and fans were not the only ones ignored; the FIFA administration itself was also deceived.

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the project that has caused so much controversy and debate is not a FIFA project. Much less is it a FIFA administration project. It is the project of one person.

Lamour characterized the prolonged "lie by omission" and unilateral exercise of power as indicative of a profound lack of trust, transparency, discernment, and good governance within FIFA. He believes this situation demonstrates a grave disrespect for the organization's employees, who he stated "deserve something better than contempt and intimidation." Lamour emphasized that the administration's mission is to serve football, not the personal interests of an individual who he feels mistakenly believes they embody FIFA.

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The FIFA administration was also deceived.

He called for political leaders in football to ask the right questions and make correct decisions regarding this project and its future implications. Lamour acknowledged that his outspokenness might cost him his job but asserted he would "sleep soundly." His comments follow the resignation of Carlos Cordeiro, an advisor to FIFA President Gianni Infantino, who also opposed the sale of World Cup stakes, deeming it detrimental to the sport's long-term future.

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This lie by omission for many months and this unilateral exercise of power are not trivialities; they are indicative of a lack of trust, a lack of transparency, a lack of discernment, a lack of good governance. And a serious lack of respect.