Infantino loses more support as FIFA official says COO dismissal was 'final straw'

FIFA President Gianni Infantino is facing a significant backlash, with more national football federations and FIFA officials withdrawing their support after the departure of Chief Operating Officer Kevin Lamour. Lamour's exit has been described as the "final straw" by a FIFA vice-president, highlighting growing concerns over Infantino's leadership.

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The final straw was the unexpected dismissal of Kevin Lamour.

Hungary's Sandor Csanyi, a FIFA vice-president and council member, expressed his dismay in a letter to Infantino, stating Lamour's "unexpected dismissal" was the breaking point. Csanyi praised Lamour's "high professional and ethical standard" and his "significant contribution to the transparent operation of the organisation." He criticized Infantino's judgment and ethical standards, particularly regarding Lamour's dismissal, which Csanyi believes was prompted by Lamour's criticism of Infantino's controversial plan to sell a stake in the commercial rights of the World Cup and other tournaments.

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Kevin performed his duties to a high professional and ethical standard and, as a highly competent executive, made a significant contribution to the transparent operation of the organisation.

Montenegro's Dejan Savicevic, also a FIFA Council member and president of the country's football association, has similarly withdrawn his support. Savicevic wrote to FIFA Secretary General Mattias Grafstrom, calling recent developments "extremely worrying" and citing a "serious lack of communication and transparency." He noted that proposals exposed "concerning vulnerabilities regarding governance" within FIFA's political and administrative structures.

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The fact that his dismissal was prompted by his criticism of the above-mentioned initiative, an initiative that you yourself ultimately acknowledged to have been misguided, points to serious shortcomings in professional judgement, ethical standards and leadership.

Infantino is seeking a fourth term as president in the upcoming March election. The growing dissent, including withdrawals of support from federations like Israel and criticism from UEFA president Aleksander Ceferin, signals mounting pressure on Infantino as he navigates these challenges to his leadership.

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The recent developments within Fifa are extremely worrying and have shown serious lack of communication and transparency not only to the member associations... but also to the internal members, Fifa Council included, and structures which should hold the foundations of Fifa.