FIFA fires chief operating officer who criticized Infantino.

On August 17, local time, FIFA confirmed in a statement that its working relationship with Chief Operating Officer Kevin Lamour, a French national, was terminated on the same day. According to reports from various media outlets, including Sky News, Lamour was dismissed for publicly criticizing FIFA President Gianni Infantino's plan to sell partial stakes in events such as the World Cup to investors. Lamour was once a member of Infantino's "inner circle," having assisted him in his campaign in 2016, which saw him unexpectedly win the FIFA presidential election. In November 2024, Lamour was appointed as FIFA's Chief Operating Officer. In July of this year, Lamour wrote that Infantino had "lacked transparency" in recent months while planning the sale of stakes in events like the World Cup, asserting that FIFA staff had been "deceived" and deserved "respect, rather than disdain and intimidation." Lamour stated, "This is simply a project for 'someone,' and it must not be pursued."