In the latest high-profile exit, FIFA chief operating officer Kevin Lamour has reportedly left his role in the wake of Gianni Infantino's controversial plan to open FIFA to private investment, according to a report from The Athletic. A FIFA spokesperson confirmed to the Athletic in a statement that "the working relationship between FIFA and Kevin Lamour as FIFA's Chief Operating Officer" came to an end on Monday. Multiple reports at British outlets indicate that Lamour, who had spent two years at FIFA, was fired. Lamour's exit from FIFA comes a few weeks after the executive wrote a scathing statement against Infantino's plan to sell stakes in the World Cup to private investors. In the statement, shared with The Associated Press at the end of last month, Lamour said FIFA staff were "deceived" by Infantino's push to sell investment stakes and "deserve better than contempt and intimidation."
"It is the project of one person," Lamour wrote. "Not only must this project not go ahead … but the time has now come for football political leaders to ask themselves the right questions and make the right decisions. "And if that means I lose my job then so be it," Lamour continued. "I will understand and respect that decision. At least I'll sleep well tonight."
Lamour's statement was sent to the AP hours after top FIFA adviser Carlos Cordeiro had resigned in opposition to Infantino's proposal. In a statement announcing his resignation, Cordeiro called the proposal a "defining question for FIFA's future."
"Why this deal? Why now? What oversight exists? Who benefits? Was there a competitive process? What governance will be in place? What will investors ultimately gain, and at what cost to football?" Cordeiro wrote.
The proposal, which the organization called the FIFA Forward Enterprise, was scrapped just days after its existence was reported. However, calls for Infantino to resign have persisted. UEFA, which had pledged to boycott FIFA events like the World Cup following the announcement of Infantino's investment plan, is reportedly still planning to do so even after the plan was withdrawn. Though U.S. President Donald Trump has continued to show support for Infantino, U.S. Soccer has been among the federations calling for "meaningful change" in the wake of the scandal.
Infantino, who was placed in office in 2016, is up for reelection in 2027. Despite countries and federations putting out strong statements against the sitting president, FIFA has claimed Infantino has support from members of the board. An ouster before the presidential election in March 2027 is possible, but would require 43 member associations to trigger a no-confidence vote against him. Instead, the election offers a chance to challenge Infantino's position, with a handful of potential replacements available to take over.