Fifa's Chief Operating Officer Kevin Lamour has left the governing body less than three weeks after publicly criticizing President Gianni Infantino's now-abandoned plan to sell stakes in competitions to private investors. The departure was confirmed by a Fifa spokesperson on August 17, 2026, stating that the working relationship had ended. The organization thanked Lamour for his two years of service but declined to comment on reports of his dismissal.

Lamour's exit follows his strong remarks last month, where he described the Fifa Forward Enterprise (FFE) plans as the project of one person. He suggested that football leaders needed to "ask themselves the right questions and make the right decisions." Lamour also stated that Fifa's own administration had been "deceived" about the project before its abandonment. He emphasized that the mission of Fifa employees is to "serve football," adding that a president should unite and inspire, not create division.

In his public comments, Lamour acknowledged his duty of loyalty to Fifa but also to "certain values and supporting his colleagues." He stated that he understood and respected the potential consequence of losing his job for speaking out, but felt he would "sleep well tonight" regardless. Lamour joined Fifa in November 2024, having previously served as deputy general secretary at Uefa. He was positioned two layers of management below President Infantino.

Earlier this month, Infantino reportedly received backing from senior executives in a meeting in Morocco. However, sources indicated that Lamour was not invited to this meeting, signaling a potential rift within the organization's leadership. Lamour has been approached for comment regarding his departure.

Fifa's secretary general, Mattias Grafstrom, informed staff of Lamour's departure in an email on Monday evening. In a letter seen by BBC Sport, Grafstrom informed members of Fifa's Council that "Following recent discussions, Fifa and our Chief Operating Officer, Kevin Lamour have agreed to part ways." He described the decision as made "after careful consideration and with great respect for Kevin, both personally and professionally."

Grafstrom expressed his gratitude to Lamour for his contributions and commitment to Fifa. The secretary general wished Lamour well for the future, reiterating the organization's respect for his work. The details surrounding the specific nature of the "recent discussions" that led to the mutual agreement to part ways remain undisclosed.

The FFE plan, which aimed to generate significant revenue through private investment, faced considerable internal and external criticism. Lamour's outspokenness highlighted a division within Fifa regarding its commercial strategies and the governance of the sport. His departure raises questions about transparency and accountability within the organization's administrative structure.

The incident underscores the challenges faced by football's global governing bodies in balancing commercial interests with their core mission and the views of their employees. The long-term implications for Fifa's internal culture and future strategic decisions remain to be seen.