Was Fifa able to sack senior exec Lamour without consequences? A lawyer explains

Fifa's chief operating officer, Kevin Lamour, was abruptly dismissed from his senior position last week following his criticism of Gianni Infantino's proposal to sell a stake in Fifa's tournament business. Despite a public outcry against the decision, Lamour's exit appears inevitable with Infantino's continued presidency. As a senior executive, Lamour is expected to adhere to a higher standard of conduct, and his criticisms may have been perceived as a lack of loyalty and unity with Infantino's leadership.

From a legal standpoint, Lamour's actions could be considered a breach of trust, which could provide grounds for dismissal under Section 98 of the Employment Rights Act 1996. This ground for dismissal is often overlooked and could apply if there are clear contractual obligations in the employment agreement that prohibit public dissent towards the business or its leaders.

While employees are encouraged to raise concerns internally, settlement of the matter privately may be a pragmatic solution for both parties. For UK employers, it is crucial to adhere to internal disciplinary processes before terminating a senior executive's employment. The Employment Rights Act 2025 will further impact such claims, reducing the qualifying period for unfair dismissal rights from two years to six months starting January 1, 2027.