FIFA's chief operating officer exits weeks after accusing Infantino of deceiving staff

Kevin Lamour has departed FIFA as chief operating officer on 17 August 2026, weeks after publicly accusing president Gianni Infantino of deceiving the organisation over its since-abandoned FIFA Forward Enterprise proposal.

FIFA confirmed the split in a brief statement: “Fifa can confirm that the working relationship between Fifa and Kevin Lamour as Fifa’s Chief Operating Officer has ended on 17 August 2026. Fifa thanks Kevin for his two years of service and wishes him the best of luck for the future. No further comment will be made on the matter.”

Lamour, 46, had spoken to the Associated Press on 31 July, describing the FFE plan as the project of “one person” and calling on football’s political leaders to “ask themselves the right questions and make the right decisions.” He was unambiguous about the personal risk he was taking: “If that means I lose my job, then so be it. I will understand and respect that decision. At least I’ll sleep well tonight.”

According to a report by the New York Times, Lamour had also voted against the FFE proposal in a meeting held on 18 July — the day before the World Cup final — making his opposition both public and formal.

FIFA secretary general Mattias Grafstrom informed staff of Lamour’s departure by email. The governing body declined to elaborate beyond its official statement, leaving the precise circumstances of his exit unexplained.