AP Interview: Klaveness slams Infantino’s FIFA for firing top executive in ‘management by fear’

Norway's Football Federation president, Lise Klaveness, has criticized FIFA President Gianni Infantino for firing chief operating officer Kevin Lamour, calling it "management by fear." Lamour was dismissed after stating that Infantino had deceived FIFA staff regarding a $20 billion World Cup sell-off plan. Klaveness, a UEFA executive committee member, urged other FIFA leaders to resist orders not in football's interest. Lamour's criticism had intensified a crisis for Infantino, stemming from a secretive plan to sell future World Cup profits to investors, which faced backlash from several confederations. FIFA stated they thanked Lamour for his service.

FIFA announced that Chief Operating Officer Kevin Lamour has left the organization on August 17, 2026. This departure follows Lamour's public criticism last month of FIFA President Gianni Infantino's proposal to sell stakes in World Cup commercial rights. Lamour stated that FIFA staff had been "deceived" by the plan, which he described as "the project of one person." Infantino had previously withdrawn the proposal, which aimed to create a $20 billion subsidiary and sell up to a 20% stake. The backlash to this plan has intensified scrutiny on Infantino's bid for a fourth term as president, with opposition from UEFA, AFC, and CONCACAF. Additionally, a human rights organization has urged FIFA to rule Infantino ineligible for another term due to alleged breaches of term limit rules.

FIFA's Chief Operating Officer, Kevin Lamour, has departed his role following criticism of President Gianni Infantino's World Cup sell-off plan. Lamour had publicly stated that staff felt "deceived" by Infantino's lack of transparency regarding the proposal to sell stakes in future World Cup profits to private equity funds. His departure comes shortly after Infantino's senior advisor also resigned, calling the plan a "bad deal for football." The $20 billion proposal was withdrawn after significant backlash from global soccer officials, including UEFA, which had threatened a boycott. Despite this, Infantino is seeking reelection and has received support from some national federations.