FIFA's number three fired after criticizing Infantino

On August 18, human rights and labor groups sharply criticized FIFA following the departure of chief operating officer Kevin Lamour, according to a report by Reuters. Lamour's exit came after he publicly criticized FIFA president Gianni Infantino's plan to sell a stake in the World Cup and other tournaments' commercial rights. FIFA announced Lamour's departure on Monday, weeks after his criticism.

Minky Worden, director of global initiatives at Human Rights Watch, expressed concern that FIFA needed more whistleblowers like Lamour. Worden highlighted FIFA's history of breaking its own human rights rules, citing the questionable due diligence process in awarding the 2034 World Cup to Saudi Arabia. Worden stated that Lamour and his team had made good faith efforts to address human rights abuses, including meeting with rights defenders and survivors of abuse, assessing risks within FIFA's operations, and attempting to remedy abuses caused by FIFA or its government partners.

Andrea Florence, executive director of the Sport & Rights Alliance, described Lamour's departure as another indication of FIFA's toxic organizational structure needing major reform. Florence praised Lamour for his role in several human rights advances at FIFA, including the recognition of the Afghan Women's National Team and advocating for imprisoned football journalist Christophe Gleizes. Florence emphasized that Lamour's departure sends a chilling message to FIFA that dissent will not be tolerated.

Ambet Yuson, general secretary of Building and Wood Workers International, called Lamour a constructive partner on workers' rights and highlighted his key role in signing the first-ever agreement between BWI Global Union and FIFA to advance workers' rights at FIFA tournaments. Yuson noted that Lamour's dismissal further underscores the governance crisis engulfing FIFA, threatening to undermine human rights protections at the core of world football.