{
  "id": 1671644,
  "title": "FIFA sack chief operating officer after criticism of Infantino's sell-off plan",
  "url": "https://urgent.news/2026/08/18/fifa-sack-chief-operating-officer-after-criticism-of-infantinos-sell",
  "topic": "culture",
  "section": "Culture",
  "published": "2026-08-18T08:30:00.000Z",
  "source": {
    "name": "IOL",
    "slug": "iol",
    "url": "https://iol.co.za/sport/soccer/2026-08-18-fifa-sack-chief-operating-officer-after-criticism-of-infantinos-sell-off-plan/"
  },
  "original_language": "en",
  "account": "FIFA has terminated the employment of Chief Operating Officer Kevin Lamour following his criticism of president Gianni Infantino's proposal to sell World Cup stakes to investors. The staff were notified via an email from Secretary General Mattias Grafstorm, who informed them of the decision made after careful consideration. A spokesperson for FIFA stated that the working relationship between the organization and Lamour ended on August 17, 2026, and thanked him for his two years of service. Lamour had previously criticized Infantino's plan, calling it \"the project of one person\" and expressing concern that FIFA had been deceived about the abandoned plan. The decision to sack Lamour came after UEFA, AFC, and CONCACAF accused FIFA of a fundamental breach of trust and deception over the management of the World Cup stake sale plans.",
  "summary": "FIFA has reportedly terminated the contract of chief operating officer Kevin Lamour after he publicly opposed president Gianni Infantino's controversial plan to sell World Cup stakes.",
  "key_points": [],
  "editors_take": null,
  "illustration": null,
  "coverage": {
    "outlets": 3,
    "also_reported_by": [
      {
        "outlet": "Free Malaysia Today",
        "title": "Rights group urges Fifa to block Infantino’s re-election bid over term limits",
        "url": "https://urgent.news/2026/08/17/rights-group-urges-fifa-to-block-infantinos-re-election-bid-over-term",
        "published": "2026-08-17T22:16:02.000Z"
      },
      {
        "outlet": "Al Jazeera",
        "title": "Infantino’s FIFA World Cup fallout: Lamour exits after criticism of plan",
        "url": "https://urgent.news/2026/08/18/infantinos-fifa-world-cup-fallout-lamour-exits-after-criticism-of-plan",
        "published": "2026-08-18T09:40:40.000Z"
      }
    ]
  },
  "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."
}