Fifa chief SACKED by Gianni Infantino weeks after blasting shameless World Cup sell-off plot

THE first Fifa chief to bravely blast Gianni Infantino’s World Cup selling scheme has been sacked. Kevin Lamour was the world football governing body’s chief operating officer. Kevin Lamour has been sacked as chief operating officer of Fifa Credit: Getty Lamour publicly slammed Gianni Infantino’s World Cup sale plans Credit: Getty However, he put his neck out to slam the money-grabbing plot to sell off stakes in the World Cup and other tournaments to raise £20billion. Lamour, 46, insisted Infantino acted alone and was willing to lose his job over his bold comments. Sign up for the Football newsletter Thank you! And so it has proved as Fifa confirmed his departure. As reported by The Times, a spokesperson said: “The working relationship between Fifa and Kevin Lamour as Fifa’s chief operating officer has ended. “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.” Secretary general Mattias Grafstrom shared the news with Fifa employees via email. In a separate email to the top brass of the organisation, Grafstrom added: “Following recent discussions, Fifa and our chief operating officer, Kevin Lamour, have agreed to part ways. Most read in Football BEST ONLINE CASINOS – TOP SITES IN THE UK Secretary general Mattias Grafstrom confirmed Lamour’s exit to Fifa staff Credit: Getty “This decision was made after careful consideration and with great respect for Kevin, both personally and professionally. “Kevin joined Fifa in November 2024 and in this time has overseen a period of significant change, including improved relationships with stakeholders and the delivery of several significant projects of joint interest, amongst many other key achievements. “I would like to express my gratitude to Kevin for these contributions and for his work and commitment on behalf of Fifa on a daily basis.” Lamour launched his stinging statement in response to the Infantino project on July 31. He said: “To put it very clearly and directly: the project that has sparked so much controversy and debate is not a Fifa project. It is even less a project of Fifa’s administration. It is the project of one person. “The Fifa vice-presidents, the members of the Fifa Council, the confederations, the federations, the players, the leagues, the clubs, and the fans were not the only ones who were ignored. “Fifa’s own administration was also deceived. This lie by omission over many months and this unilateral exercise of power are not trivial. “They are indicative of a lack of trust, a lack of transparency, a lack of discernment, a lack of good governance. And a serious lack of respect. “Not only must this project not go ahead — for obvious reasons that need not even be listed here — but the time has now come for football political leaders to ask themselves the right questions and make the right decisions. “Regarding this project and what comes next. Everyone must take responsibility. Because it is becoming increasingly difficult for Fifa’s administration to work under these conditions and fulfil its mission. “My feeling is that we all want to be proud to work for Fifa, and today, unfortunately, it seems that is no longer the case for many of us. That saddens me. “My colleagues — some of whom have dedicated their lives to football — deserve better than contempt and intimidation. “The ball is now in the court of those who have the power to change things. I know I have a duty of loyalty to my employer. “But I also, and above all, have a duty of loyalty to certain values and to the upbringing I have received, and a duty to support my colleagues. “And 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.” The other significant departure from Fifa since the news broke of the controversial plans was Carlos Cordeiro, Infantino’s senior advisor. However, Swiss top dog Infantino is still clinging on to his role as Fifa president despite the widespread backlash. A damning open letter from Uefa, Concacaf and the AFC last week saw him accused of “breaking trust through deception”. SunSport understands Concacaf, Uefa and the AFC are pressurising Infantino to resign with immediate effect and not run for re-election for a fourth term in March. LaLiga chief Javier Tebas, meanwhile, insisted the Infantino era is “over” and he is “destroying the very essence of football”. But as well as the scandalous attempt to privatise the World Cup, it has also been revealed in bombshell documents that Infantino was actually plotting to partner with the rebel breakaway European Super League – and it could even have been called the Fifa Super League. Also, The Telegraph reported that Uefa paid off a six-figure sum to an alleged mistress of married Infantino while he was general secretary. And SunSport revealed his latest blow that even his hometown club Zug 94 in Switzerland are refusing to back his beleaguered leadership. Comment now