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FIFA COO Kevin Lamour leaves after criticizing Infantino's investment plan FAST-MOVING
FIFA Chief Operating Officer Kevin Lamour has left the organization following his public criticism of President Gianni Infantino’s controversial FIFA Forward Enterprise (FFE) project. FIFA confirmed on August 17, 2026, that the working relationship with Lamour had ended, though the organization did not explicitly label the departure as a dismissal.
Lamour had voiced strong opposition to the FFE plan, which proposed creating a $20 billion subsidiary to sell stakes in the commercial rights of major tournaments, including the World Cup, to private investors. He described the initiative as ‘the project of one person’ and alleged that FIFA’s administration had been ‘deceived’ regarding the project’s true scope and lack of transparency.
The controversy has caused significant internal friction. Lamour’s departure follows the resignation of senior advisor Carlos Cordeiro, who also protested the FFE proposal, calling it ‘a bad business for football’. While the FFE plan has since been abandoned following backlash from major confederations like UEFA, CONCACAF, and the AFC, the leadership of Gianni Infantino remains under scrutiny as he prepares for a reelection bid in March 2027.
Entities
Carlos Cordeiro · FIFA · Gianni Infantino · Kevin Lamour · Mattias Grafström · UEFA
Claims
What the coverage asserts, and how well corroborated each claim is across sources.
- [● 8 SOURCES] Senior advisor Carlos Cordeiro resigned in protest of the FFE project, calling it ‘a bad business for football’. sportowefakty.wp.pl · www.cnnbrasil.com.br · esportenaredemt.com.br · www.elbuentono.com.mx · www.marca.com · +3 more
- [● 5 SOURCES] The FFE plan involved selling a 20% stake in tournament rights to a US investment fund linked to Joshua Kushner for $4.2 billion. www.telesurtv.net · www.khelupdates.com · www.futbolmundial.com · okaznews.net · www.elbuentono.com.mx
- [● 31 SOURCES] Lamour claimed that FIFA's administration had been ‘deceived’ regarding the FFE project. www.bbc.co.uk · tribunadepetropolis.com.br · www.sportschau.de · www.cnnbrasil.com.br · esportenaredemt.com.br · +26 more
- [● 32 SOURCES] Kevin Lamour described the FIFA Forward Enterprise (FFE) project as ‘the project of one person’. sportowefakty.wp.pl · www.bbc.co.uk · www.telesurtv.net · tribunadepetropolis.com.br · www.sportschau.de · +27 more
- [● 32 SOURCES] FIFA confirmed that Kevin Lamour's role as Chief Operating Officer ended on August 17, 2026. sportowefakty.wp.pl · www.bbc.co.uk · www.telesurtv.net · tribunadepetropolis.com.br · www.sportschau.de · +27 more
- [● 30 SOURCES] Lamour stated he was willing to lose his job due to his public criticisms. sportowefakty.wp.pl · www.bbc.co.uk · tribunadepetropolis.com.br · www.sportschau.de · esportenaredemt.com.br · +25 more