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Fifa top official resigns after criticizing Infantino
🇳🇴 Norway /Sports

Fifa top official resigns after criticizing Infantino

From Aftenposten · () Norwegian

Translated from Norwegian, summarized and contextualized by DistantNews.

At a glance

News Named sources Outcome reported
  • Kevin Lamour has resigned from his position as Chief Operating Officer at FIFA, two weeks after criticizing President Gianni Infantino.
  • Lamour accused Infantino of undermining staff with plans to sell parts of the World Cup to external investors.
  • FIFA confirmed Lamour's departure, stating his employment relationship has ended, but did not confirm if it was linked to his criticism.

Kevin Lamour has stepped down from his role as Chief Operating Officer at FIFA, just over two weeks after publicly criticizing FIFA President Gianni Infantino. The departure was reported by The Athletic and Sky Sports.

This is one person's project. Not only must it be stopped, but the time has come for football's political leaders to ask themselves the right questions and make the right decisions.

— Kevin LamourIn a statement to the Associated Press regarding FIFA's plans.

Lamour's criticism stemmed from his assertion that Infantino had proceeded with plans to sell portions of the FIFA World Cup to external investors without proper consultation. In a statement to the Associated Press, Lamour declared, "This is one person's project. Not only must it be stopped, but the time has come for football's political leaders to ask themselves the right questions and make the right decisions." He added, "If this means I lose my job, so be it. At least I can sleep well tonight."

If this means I lose my job, so be it. At least I can sleep well tonight.

— Kevin LamourExpressing his willingness to face consequences for his public criticism.

Following Lamour's strong statement, FIFA's plans regarding the sale of World Cup stakes were halted. FIFA confirmed that Lamour's employment relationship as COO has ended as of August 17. However, the organization stated, "FIFA thanks Kevin for his two years of service and wishes him the best for the future. No further comment will be given on the subject," leaving the direct link between his criticism and resignation unclear.

FIFA can confirm that the employment relationship between FIFA and Kevin Lamour as FIFA's Chief Operating Officer has been terminated on August 17.

— FIFAConfirming Lamour's departure from the organization.

This situation follows other internal dissent within FIFA. Previously, senior advisor Carlos Cordeiro resigned, vehemently denying any involvement in the proposal to create a commercial entity for selling stakes in FIFA tournaments. Additionally, three of Infantino's vice presidents, Victor Montagliani (Concacaf), Aleksander Ceferin (Uefa), and Salman Bin Ibrahim Al-Khalifa (AFC), have also voiced criticism against the FIFA president. Infantino himself is preparing to seek re-election as FIFA President at the federation's congress next March.

FIFA thanks Kevin for his two years of service and wishes him the best for the future. No further comment will be given on the subject.

— FIFAConcluding their statement on Lamour's resignation.
DistantNews Editorial

Originally published by Aftenposten in Norwegian. Translated, summarized, and contextualized by our editorial team with added local perspective. Read our editorial standards.

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