FIFA Plan Controversy
FIFA COO Lamour Leaves Over Infantino's Controversial $20 Billion World Cup Revenue Sale
Key Points
Lamour joined FIFA in November 2024 after serving as UEFA deputy general secretary, and had previously worked with Infantino at UEFA, signaling a relatively rapid ascent within FIFA.
Lamour reportedly voted against the FIFA Forward Enterprise (FFE) plan in the July 18 meeting, which occurred the day before the World Cup final.
Lamour's departure followed the resignation of Infantino's senior adviser Carlos Cordeiro in July due to opposition to the FFE.
Staff were informed of Lamour's departure via email from FIFA secretary-general Mattias Grafström, and reports indicated Lamour had been excluded from internal crisis meetings in the lead-up to the fallout.
"If that means I lose my job, then so be it," Lamour said, illustrating his willingness to sacrifice his position in stand for speaking out.
FIFA's chief operating officer Kevin Lamour has left the organization after publicly turning on President Gianni Infantino's plan to sell stakes in World Cup revenues to private investors. BBC and Reuters reported that Lamour called the proposed $20 billion commercial subsidiary a 'bad deal for football' and said staff had been 'deceived' about the plan.
FIFA confirmed that Lamour's working relationship with the body ended on August 17, 2026, thanking him for two years of service and offering no further comment. His exit came just weeks after senior Infantino adviser Carlos Cordeiro also quit over the same dispute, signaling deep fractures at the top of world football's governing body.
The $20 Billion Plan That Split FIFA Apart
The dispute centers on FIFA's proposed Forward Enterprise (FFE) plan — a scheme to spin off World Cup commercial rights into a separate subsidiary worth an estimated $20 billion and sell stakes to private investors. Lamour voted against the plan at a key July 18 meeting, held the day before the World Cup final. He argued the deal would harm football's long-term interests.
Lamour did not hold back. He called the FFE 'the project of one person,' a direct shot at Infantino. He also said staff were misled about what the plan involved. 'If that means I lose my job, then so be it,' Lamour said, according to BBC. He framed his stance as loyalty to colleagues and a duty to speak up.
Lamour Sacked or Resigned? FIFA Stays Silent
Reports differ on whether Lamour quit or was pushed out. Yahoo Sports described it as a resignation, while WDCNEWS6 reported he was sacked after his public criticism of Infantino. FIFA has not said which version is correct. Staff learned of his departure through an email from FIFA secretary-general Mattias Grafström.
Lamour had also been shut out of internal crisis meetings in the days leading up to his exit, according to reports. That exclusion, combined with the vague official statement, has done little to ease concerns about how FIFA handles internal dissent.
A Pattern of Departures Around Infantino's Commercial Push
Lamour is not the first to go. Carlos Cordeiro, a senior Infantino adviser, resigned in July after opposing the FFE plan. Lamour joined FIFA in November 2024 after serving as UEFA deputy general secretary — he had even worked alongside Infantino at UEFA, making his public break with the president all the more striking.
The back-to-back exits point to a wider pattern. Staff have raised concerns about the FFE's structure, arguing that putting commercial rights into a separate vehicle could push key decisions further from FIFA's core governance. Critics worry fewer people will have oversight of billions in World Cup revenue.
What the Fallout Means for FIFA's Governance
Lamour's departure sends a clear message: speaking out against Infantino carries a high personal cost. His willingness to go public — knowing he could lose his role — is rare inside FIFA, where internal loyalty has long been prized. His exit may make other staff less likely to raise concerns about major decisions.
The FFE plan now faces fresh scrutiny. Separating commercial rights from governance could shield big financial deals from meaningful oversight. With two senior figures gone in weeks and staff reportedly kept in the dark, questions about how Infantino runs FIFA are unlikely to fade soon, according to BBC.
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