---
title: "FIFA parts ways with COO Kevin Lamour after criticism of Gianni Infantino"
publication: "MediaBias News"
url: "https://mediabias.news/media/fifa-parts-ways-with-coo-kevin-lamour-after-criticism-of-gianni-infantino"
api: "https://mediabias.news/api/v1/stories/fifa-parts-ways-with-coo-kevin-lamour-after-criticism-of-gianni-infantino"
markdown: "https://mediabias.news/media/fifa-parts-ways-with-coo-kevin-lamour-after-criticism-of-gianni-infantino.md"
audio: "https://mediabias.news/api/audio/fifa-parts-ways-with-coo-kevin-lamour-after-criticism-of-gianni-infantino"
category: "Media"
published: "2026-08-17T21:46:27.604Z"
source_reported: "2026-08-17T21:19:04.203Z"
updated: "2026-08-17T21:46:27.604Z"
trust_score: 80
critic_score: 75
hype_score: 15
assessment_type: "coverage-and-source-reporting-analysis"
fact_check_status: "not-performed"
coverage_measured: "2026-08-17T22:33:32.873Z"
---

# FIFA parts ways with COO Kevin Lamour after criticism of Gianni Infantino

*Lamour publicly opposed Infantino's plan to sell a stake in FIFA's tournament business, including the World Cup*

**Scores for the source reporting** (0-100, assessing the original journalism this article was written from, not this write-up): 

- Trust 80 of 100, higher is better. 40 outlets agree FIFA confirmed Lamour's departure on 17 Aug 2026.
- Craft 75 of 100, higher is better. Quotes from FIFA statement and Lamour's letter included.
- Hype 15 of 100, lower is better. Headlines are direct and proportionate to the facts.

Scored by MediaBias News; method at https://mediabias.news/methodology.

**The short version**

- FIFA confirmed on 17 August 2026 that Kevin Lamour, its chief operating officer, had left the organisation after two years in the role.
- Lamour publicly criticised Gianni Infantino's plan to sell a stake in FIFA's tournament business, including the World Cup, calling it 'the project of one person' and saying staff had been 'deceived'.
- Sky News first reported Lamour's departure, which FIFA confirmed in a statement thanking him for his service.
- The disagreement centred on Infantino's investor plan, which was later scrapped following backlash.

FIFA confirmed on 17 August 2026 that its working relationship with Chief Operating Officer Kevin Lamour had ended. Lamour, who joined FIFA in November 2024, had publicly criticised President Gianni Infantino's plan to sell a stake in FIFA's tournament business, including the World Cup, to private investors. The plan was later abandoned after widespread opposition.

Lamour described the investor plan as 'the project of one person' and said FIFA staff had been 'deceived' by it. His departure was first reported by Sky News. FIFA issued a statement confirming the end of Lamour's tenure, thanking him for his service and wishing him well for the future. FIFA Secretary General Mattias Grafstrom also informed staff of the decision in a letter, acknowledging Lamour's contributions and expressing gratitude for his work.

## What the reports agree on

All reports confirm that Lamour left FIFA on 17 August 2026 after criticising Infantino's investor plan. They agree that Lamour called the plan 'the project of one person' and said staff had been 'deceived'. The reports also note that FIFA issued a statement thanking Lamour for his service and that Sky News first reported his departure.

## What the coverage left out

None of the digests, regardless of rating, included the full text of FIFA Secretary General Mattias Grafstrom's letter to staff about Lamour's departure. The letter, as reported by the Daily Mirror, acknowledged Lamour's contributions and expressed gratitude for his work. None of the right-rated digests mentioned that the investor plan Lamour criticised had been scrapped.

## Who covered it

Shares of the 43 covering outlets with a published leaning rating:

- Left: 33% (14)
- Centre: 32% (14)
- Right: 35% (15)

16 of 59 covering outlets carried no usable leaning rating and were excluded from those percentages. Coverage measured 2026-08-17T22:33:32.873Z.

**Coverage watch:** developing. Checked 5 times; 0 checks found a material change. Most recently checked 2026-08-17T23:00:23.748Z.

## How the sides framed it

### Left

- The left-rated digests led on Lamour's criticism of Infantino and the investor plan. Seven of the eight left-rated digests describe Lamour as having accused Infantino of deceiving staff or betraying employees. The Daily Mirror, whose full report is printed below, quoted Lamour's statement that staff had been 'deceived' and described his criticism as directed at a plan that was 'the project of one person'. The Mirror also included Lamour's call for Infantino to step down.
- The Daily Mirror used the word 'sacked' in its headline and reported that Lamour had said Infantino's plan was 'now scrapped following widespread backlash'. It quoted Lamour's letter directly: 'Not only must this project not go ahead. But the time has now come for football political leaders to ask themselves the right questions and make the right decisions.'

### Centre

- The centre-rated digests focused on the fact of Lamour's departure and its timing. Five of the seven centre-rated digests described Lamour as the third-highest-ranking official at FIFA. Radio France Internationale and Ilta-Sanomat noted that Lamour's criticism had been directed at Infantino's plan to sell a stake in FIFA's tournament business. The Globe and Mail quoted Lamour's statement that staff had been 'deceived' and described the plan as 'the project of one person'.
- None of the centre-rated digests used the word 'sacked' or 'fired' in their headlines. Algemeen Dagblad included additional context, reporting that the Dutch football association KNVB and UEFA had withdrawn their confidence in Infantino after he abandoned the investor plan.

### Right

- The right-rated digests led on Lamour's criticism of Infantino and the consequences of it. Five of the six right-rated digests described Lamour as having been dismissed or fired after criticising Infantino. Jyllands-Posten quoted Lamour's statement that staff had been 'led into the dark' by Infantino. Welt and Frankfurter Allgemeine reported that Lamour had accused Infantino of betraying employees.
- Bild used the phrase 'Red card for Kevin Lamour' in its digest and described Lamour as one of Infantino's 'most important employees'. None of the right-rated digests mentioned that the investor plan had been scrapped. n-tv reported that Lamour had 'thrown away' his job by criticising Infantino.

## Factuality profile of the covering outlets

These are published factuality ratings of the outlets, not a verdict on whether this story or its claims are true.

- low: 2
- mixed: 6
- high: 26
- unknown: 17
- veryHigh: 8

## Verification scope

This page compares coverage and scores the source reporting. It is not a ClaimReview verdict on whether the underlying event or claim is true.

## Original reporting this was written from

- [SIC Notícias](https://sicnoticias.pt/desporto/futebol-internacional/2026-08-17-diretor-de-operacoes-da-fifa-deixa-cargo-apos-criticar-infantino-34a6a220-1) — FIFA Director of Operations Leaves Office After Criticizing Infantino
- [France24](https://france24.com/en/live-news/20260817-lamour-leaves-key-fifa-position-after-criticising-infantino) — Lamour leaves key FIFA position after criticising Infantino
- [The West Australian](https://thewest.com.au/sport/soccer/fifa-bigwig-leaves-role-after-criticism-of-president-c-22738196) — FIFA bigwig leaves role after criticism of president
- [PerthNow](https://perthnow.com.au/sport/soccer/fifa-bigwig-leaves-role-after-criticism-of-president-c-22738193) — FIFA bigwig leaves role after criticism of president
- [Reuters](https://reuters.com/sports/soccer/fifa-sacks-senior-executive-kevin-lamour-after-infantino-criticism-sky-news-2026-08-17) — FIFA Confirms Departure of Senior Executive Kevin Lamour After ...
- [GB News](https://gbnews.com/sport/football/fifa-chief-operating-officer-kevin-lamour-sacked-criticising-gianni-infantino) — Fifa's chief operating officer SACKED from role weeks after criticising Gianni Infantino
- [Daily Express](https://express.co.uk/sport/football/2240030/Gianni-Infantino-FIFA-World-Cup-Kevin-Lamour) — FIFA executive that broke silence on Gianni Infantino brutally sacked
- [sportschau.de](https://sportschau.de/fussball/fifa-trennt-sich-von-betriebsdirektor-lamour,fifa-lamour-aus-100.html) — Following Criticism of Infantino: FIFA Parts Ways with Operations Director Lamour
- [Vísir](https://visir.is/g/20262922364d/rekstrar-stjori-fifa-a-forum-vegna-infantino) — FIFA Chief Operating Officer Leaves Due to Infantino
- [CBC News](https://cbc.ca/sports/soccer/fifa-departure-coo-kevin-lamour-9.7310181) — FIFA confirms departure of senior executive Kevin Lamour after Infantino criticism
- [Radio France Internationale](https://rfi.fr/en/sports/20260817-lamour-leaves-key-fifa-position-after-criticising-infantino) — Lamour leaves key FIFA position after criticising Infantino
- [rtl.lu](https://today.rtl.lu/news/world/lamour-leaves-key-fifa-position-after-criticising-infantino-142441275) — Lamour Leaves Key FIFA Position After Criticising Infantino
- [Kurier](https://kurier.at/sport/fussball/kevin-lamour-fifa-gianni-infantino-kritik-investorenplaene/403184394) — After Allegations Against Infantino: FIFA Separates Itself From Critics
- [ORF.at News](https://orf.at/stories/3439461) — Criticism of Infantino: FIFA Splits up with Company Director
- [Jyllands-Posten](https://jyllands-posten.dk/sport/fodbold/ECE19553203/fifa-fyrer-direktoer-efter-aaben-kritik-af-infantino) — Fifa Director Criticized Infantino. Now He's Fired
- [Le Figaro](https://lefigaro.fr/sports/football/fifa-le-francais-kevin-lamour-quitte-son-poste-de-directeur-des-operations-apres-ses-critiques-envers-gianni-infantino-20260817) — Fifa: Frenchman Kevin Lamour Leaves His Post as Operations Director After Criticizing Gianni Infantino
- [Daily Sabah](https://dailysabah.com/sports/football/fifa-parts-ways-with-top-executive-after-infantino-criticism) — FIFA parts ways with top executive after Infantino criticism
- [La Libre](https://lalibre.be/sports/football/coupe-du-monde/2026/08/17/apres-avoir-critique-gianni-infantino-le-numero-3-de-la-fifa-kevin-lamour-est-renvoye-5ODWATZTFJGXRGDPD5PTESVLSI) — After Criticizing Gianni Infantino, FIFA's Number 3, Kevin Lamour, Is Fired
- [ABC Australia](https://abc.net.au/news/2026-08-18/fifa-sacks-senior-executive-kevin-lamour-after-criticism/107048594) — FIFA executive who criticised Infantino's World Cup sale plan departs
- [watson](https://watson.ch/international/fifa/102718553-nach-infantino-kritik-betriebsdirektor-verlaesst-fifa) — According to Infantino-Critique: Company Director Leaves FIFA
- [Bild](https://bild.de/sport/fussball/er-war-einer-seiner-wichtigsten-angestellten-fifa-feuert-infantino-kritiker-6a836104a87e8142c31d33c3) — He Was One of His Most Important Employees: Fifa Fires Infantino Critics!
- [Unknown](https://shafaq.com/ar/%D8%B1%D9%8A%D9%80%D8%A7%D8%B6%D8%A9/%D9%81%D9%8A%D9%81%D8%A7-%D9%8A%D9%82%D9%8A%D9%84-%D9%85%D8%AF%D9%8A%D8%B1-%D8%B9%D9%85%D9%84%D9%8A%D8%A7%D8%AA%D9%87-%D8%A8%D8%B3%D8%A8%D8%A8-%D8%A7%D9%86%D8%AA%D9%82%D8%A7%D8%AF-%D9%86%D9%81%D8%A7%D9%86%D8%AA%D9%8A%D9%86%D9%88) — FIFA Sacks Its Operations Director for Criticizing Infantino - Shafaq News
- [stern.de](https://stern.de/sport/fussball/betriebsdirektor-kevin-lamour--fifa-trennt-sich-von-infantino-kritiker-38120376.html) — Company Director Has to Leave: Fifa Separates From Infantino Critic Lamour
- [Zeit Online](https://zeit.de/sport/2026-08/fifa-kevin-lamour-gianni-infantino-investoren-uefa) — Fifa Crisis: Fifa Dismisses Company Director Kevin Lamour After Criticism of Infantino
- [Algemeen Dagblad](https://ad.nl/voetbal/fifa-ontslaat-topman-die-forse-kritiek-had-op-infantino~a2544497) — FIFA Fires Top Executive Who Had Strong Criticism of Infantino
- [SPORTbible](https://sportbible.com/football/football-news/fifa-world-cup/fifa-gianni-infantino-official-statement-291181-20260817) — FIFA 'sack' one of Gianni Infantino's most senior officials after public criticism as statement issued
- [Welt](https://welt.de/sport/fussball/article6a83681b9fcb5798aae39cb7/streit-um-investoren-plaene-infantino-kritiker-verliert-seinen-posten-bei-der-fifa.html) — Argument over Investor Plans: Infantino Critic Loses His Position at Fifa
- [Ilta-Sanomat](https://is.fi/jalkapallo/art-2000012212086.html) — Enough Is Enough: Fifa Has Been Rocked by Major Sackings
- [Sueddeutsche Zeitung](https://sueddeutsche.de/sport/fifa-infantino-kritiker-lamour-trennung-li.3532977) — Fifa Separates From Infantino Critics
- [Frankfurter Allgemeine](https://faz.net/aktuell/sport/fussball/fifa-trennt-sich-von-betriebsdirektor-und-infantino-kritiker-kevin-lamour-201135138.html) — FIFA Separates Itself From Company Director and Infantino Critic Kevin Lamour
- [Daily Mirror](https://mirror.co.uk/sport/football/news/gianni-infantino-fifa-kevin-lamour-37562373) — Gianni Infantino sacks FIFA executive after criticism under-fire president
- [sporza.be](https://sporza.be/nl/2026/07/29/na-forse-kritiek-op-gianni-infantino-fifa-zet-topman-kevin-lamour-aan-de-deur-zoals-hij-zelf-al-voorspelde~1785325277875) — Following Harsh Criticism of Gianni Infantino: FIFA Sacks Top Executive Kevin Lamour (as He Predicted Himself)
- [RTÉ](https://rte.ie/sport/soccer/2026/0817/1588283-fifa-sack-key-executive-who-publicly-criticised-infantino) — Key executive who criticised Infantino leaves FIFA
- [Index](https://index.hu/sport/futball/2026/08/17/gianni-infantino-labdarugas-fifa-kirugas-kevin-lamour) — Gianni Infantino Has Gone Wild, FIFA President Has Started Playing Dictator
- [The Globe & Mail](https://theglobeandmail.com/sports/soccer/article-fifa-fires-senior-executive-kevin-lamour-after-infantino-criticism) — FIFA fires senior executive Kevin Lamour after Infantino criticism
- [Le Monde](https://lemonde.fr/sport/article/2026/08/17/la-fifa-licencie-le-francais-kevin-lamour-numero-trois-de-l-instance-qui-s-est-oppose-a-gianni-infantino_6748483_3242.html) — FIFA Dismisses the Frenchman Kevin Lamour, Number Three in the Instance that Opposed Gianni Infantino
- [ANSA](https://ansa.it/sito/notizie/sport/calcio/2026/08/17/la-fifa-licenzia-il-direttore-operativo-lamour-aveva-criticato-infantino_fcc9671f-f449-4248-bf11-50cf8cbc5eca.html) — The Fifa Fired the Operating Director Lamour, Had Criticized Infantino
- [n-tv](https://n-tv.de/sport/fussball/Hochrangiger-Infantino-Kritiker-verlaesst-die-FIFA-id31203867.html) — From Strong Criticism: High-Ranking Infantino Critic Leaves FIFA
- [Cryptocurrency News | Cryptocurrency Prices | Market Cap](https://cryptocurrency.com.tr/fifa-sacks-coo-kevin-lamour-after-public-criticism-of-infantino-343866) — FIFA sacks COO Kevin Lamour after public criticism of Infantino
- [Crypto Briefing](https://cryptobriefing.com/fifa-sacks-coo-kevin-lamour-infantino-criticism) — FIFA sacks COO Kevin Lamour after public criticism of Infantino
- [The Star Kuala Lumpur](https://thestar.com.my/sport/football/2026/08/18/fifa-sacks-senior-executive-kevin-lamour-after-infantino-criticism-sky-news-reports) — FIFA confirms departure of senior executive Kevin Lamour after Infantino criticism
- [WTVB](https://wtvbam.com/2026/08/17/fifa-sacks-senior-executive-kevin-lamour-after-infantino-criticism-sky-news-reports) — FIFA sacks senior executive Kevin Lamour after Infantino criticism, Sky News reports
- [Globo](https://oglobo.globo.com/esportes/futebol/noticia/2026/08/17/diretor-que-criticou-infantino-publicamente-apos-projeto-de-venda-de-acoes-deixa-a-fifa.ghtml) — Director Who Criticized Infantino Publicly After Stock Sale Project Leaves Fifa
- [USA Today](https://usatoday.com/story/sports/soccer/2026/08/17/fifa-executive-lamour-leaves-infantino-criticism/91342193007) — FIFA executive departs after scathing criticism of Infantino
- [t-online](https://t-online.de/sport/fussball/id_101393140/fifa-direktor-lamour-stellt-sich-gegen-infantino-und-wird-gefeuert.html) — Criticism in an Open Letter: Fifa Director Opposes Infantino – and Gets Fired
- [L'ÉQUIPE](https://lequipe.fr/Football/Actualites/Apres-etre-monte-au-front-contre-gianni-infantino-le-numero-3-de-la-fifa-kevin-lamour-licencie/1711781) — After Riding the Front Against Gianni Infantino, FIFA's Number 3 Kevin Lamour Fired
- [Spiegel](https://spiegel.de/sport/fussball/fifa-feuert-infantino-kritiker-kevin-lamour-a-2092f499-8ab9-4ecd-af23-1e1770768429) — Fifa Fires Infantino Critic Kevin Lamour
- [HD](https://hd.se/sport/kritiserade-infantino-lamnar-nu-fifa) — Criticized Infantino – Now Leaving Fifa
- [The Independent](https://independent.co.uk/sport/football/kevin-lamour-fifa-gianni-infantino-b3034497.html) — Fifa’s chief operating officer leaves after scathing criticism of Gianni Infantino
- [The Independent (US)](https://the-independent.com/sport/football/kevin-lamour-fifa-gianni-infantino-b3034497.html) — Fifa’s chief operating officer leaves after scathing criticism of Gianni Infantino
- [Ekstra Bladet](https://ekstrabladet.dk/sport/medier-fifa-direktoer-fyret-efter-kritik-af-infantino/11260948) — Medier: FIFA-Direktør Fyret Efter Kritik Af Infantino
- [Daily Star](https://dailystar.co.uk/sport/football/fifas-coo-sacked-after-criticised-37562329) — FIFA's COO 'sacked' after he criticised Gianni Infantino's World Cup plan
- [De Morgen](https://demorgen.be/sport/kevin-lamour-fifa-topman-die-infantino-bekritiseerde-verlaat-de-organisatie~b46252cf) — Kevin Lamour, a Top FIFA Official Who Criticized Infantino, Is Leaving the Organization.
- [Sky News UK](https://news.sky.com/story/fifa-sacks-senior-executive-who-criticised-infantino-sky-news-understands-13574166) — FIFA sacks senior executive who criticised Infantino, Sky News understands
- [Aftenposten](https://aftenposten.no/sport/i/xrVvxj/fifa-topp-ferdig-etter-aa-ha-kritisert-infantino) — Fifa-Topp Ferdigetter Å Ha Criticizes Infantino
- [Aftonbladet](https://aftonbladet.se/sportbladet/fotboll/a/K8a9EG/kevin-lamour-far-sparken-fran-fifa) — Criticized Infantino – Gets Fired
- [VG](https://vg.no/sport/i/rrVJvK/medier-fifa-topp-ferdig-etter-aa-ha-kritisert-infantino) — Fifa Top Job Completed After Infantino Criticism
- [CNN Brasil](https://cnnbrasil.com.br/esportes/futebol/copa-do-mundo/apos-criticar-infantino-diretor-da-fifa-e-demitido-entenda) — After Criticizing Infantino, Fifa's Director Is Fired; Understand
- [El Economista](https://eleconomista.com.mx/deportes/fifa-anuncia-salida-director-operaciones-criticas-infantino-20260817-828699.html) — FIFA Announces Departure of Its Operations Director After Criticism of Infantino

## Questions

**Why did Kevin Lamour leave FIFA?**

Kevin Lamour left FIFA after publicly criticising President Gianni Infantino's plan to sell a stake in FIFA's tournament business, including the World Cup. Lamour called the plan 'the project of one person' and said staff had been 'deceived'. FIFA confirmed his departure on 17 August 2026.

**What was Gianni Infantino's plan that Lamour criticised?**

Gianni Infantino proposed selling a stake in FIFA's tournament business, including the World Cup, to private investors. The plan was later scrapped following widespread backlash. Kevin Lamour criticised it as 'the project of one person' and said FIFA staff had been 'deceived'.

**Which outlets reported that Lamour was sacked?**

The Daily Mirror, Jyllands-Posten, Bild, and n-tv used the words 'sacked' or 'fired' in their headlines or digests. Other outlets, including those rated centre, described Lamour's departure without using those terms.

**Did any outlets report that the investor plan was scrapped?**

The Daily Mirror and Algemeen Dagblad reported that the investor plan was scrapped following widespread backlash. None of the right-rated digests mentioned that the plan had been abandoned.

---

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