{
  "id": 1659859,
  "title": "Senior FIFA official Lamour exits after Infantino criticism",
  "url": "https://urgent.news/2026/08/18/senior-fifa-official-lamour-exits-after-infantino-criticism",
  "topic": "culture",
  "section": "Culture",
  "published": "2026-08-18T06:48:12.000Z",
  "source": {
    "name": "Business Recorder",
    "slug": "business-recorder",
    "url": "https://www.brecorder.com/news/40435361/senior-fifa-official-lamour-exits-after-infantino-criticism"
  },
  "original_language": "en",
  "account": "FIFA announced on Monday that Chief Operating Officer Kevin Lamour had resigned from the organization, days after he publicly opposed Gianni Infantino's plan to sell a significant stake in the World Cup and other tournaments. Lamour joined FIFA in November 2024 and was previously part of Infantino's inner circle when he was elected as FIFA president in 2016. In a statement, FIFA confirmed Lamour's departure, thanking him for his two years of service and wishing him well. No further details were provided. Lamour had previously criticized the proposal, alleging that FIFA staff were misled and calling it \"the project of one person.\" Infantino's reelection bid, which seemed assured, is now in jeopardy due to the controversy. The backlash against the plan has been widespread, with European confederations UEFA, AFC, and CONCACAF opposing Infantino. FairSquare, an organization focused on human rights in sport, has filed a complaint urging Infantino's ineligibility for a fourth presidential term, arguing it violates term limits. Several national associations, including the Scottish Football Association, have also expressed their disapproval of Infantino's reelection.",
  "summary": "FIFA said on Monday that Chief Operating Officer Kevin Lamour had left the organisation, weeks after he publicly criticised Gianni Infantino’s plan to sell a stake in the commercial rights of the World Cup and other tournaments. Lamour joined the senior leadership group of soccer’s global governing body in November 2024, having previously been part of the inner circle that campaigned for…",
  "key_points": [],
  "editors_take": null,
  "illustration": null,
  "coverage": {
    "outlets": 8,
    "also_reported_by": [
      {
        "outlet": "Yahoo Sports",
        "title": "Who is supporting Gianni Infantino? Every country’s stance on Fifa president crisis",
        "url": "https://urgent.news/2026/08/17/who-is-supporting-gianni-infantino-every-countrys-stance-on-fifa",
        "published": "2026-08-17T13:40:45.000Z"
      },
      {
        "outlet": "Channel News Asia",
        "title": "Rights group urges FIFA to block Infantino re-election bid over term limits",
        "url": "https://urgent.news/2026/08/17/rights-group-urges-fifa-to-block-infantino-re-election-bid-over-term",
        "published": "2026-08-17T14:02:39.000Z"
      },
      {
        "outlet": "Al Jazeera",
        "title": "Rights group urges FIFA to block Infantino re-election bid over term limits",
        "url": "https://urgent.news/2026/08/17/rights-group-urges-fifa-to-block-infantino-re-election-bid-over-term-1507096",
        "published": "2026-08-17T15:21:47.000Z"
      },
      {
        "outlet": "BBC News",
        "title": "Lamour leaves Fifa after Infantino plan criticism",
        "url": "https://urgent.news/2026/08/17/lamour-leaves-fifa-after-infantino-plan-criticism",
        "published": "2026-08-17T19:52:19.000Z"
      },
      {
        "outlet": "CBC News",
        "title": "FIFA confirms departure of senior executive after Infantino criticism",
        "url": "https://urgent.news/2026/08/17/fifa-confirms-departure-of-senior-executive-after-infantino-criticism",
        "published": "2026-08-17T21:03:32.000Z"
      },
      {
        "outlet": "France 24",
        "title": "FIFA Chief of Operations Kevin Lamour leaves after criticizing Gianni Infatino",
        "url": "https://urgent.news/2026/08/18/fifa-chief-of-operations-kevin-lamour-leaves-after-criticizing-gianni",
        "published": "2026-08-18T05:29:05.000Z"
      },
      {
        "outlet": "Punch",
        "title": "FIFA sacks top official after Infantino criticism",
        "url": "https://urgent.news/2026/08/18/fifa-sacks-top-official-after-infantino-criticism",
        "published": "2026-08-18T07:42:50.000Z"
      }
    ]
  },
  "ai_generated": true,
  "disclaimer": "Summaries, key points and the editor’s take are written by software from other outlets’ reporting and may contain errors — always check the linked original."
}