Lamour's explosive rebuke: Infantino’s solo project under fire

Kevin Lamour, FIFA’s operational director, publicly denounced President Gianni Infantino’s latest initiative, contrasting his own call for collective governance with Infantino’s apparently unilateral approach. Lamour’s statement, issued today at 19:32, makes clear he does not stand behind the president’s plans.

In a sharply worded statement released at 19:36, Lamour said he was forced to speak out because the project announced in recent days "defies imagination" and is not a FIFA project at all. He stressed that the venture, which has sparked intense controversy, is "the project of one person" rather than a joint effort of the organisation.

Lamour expanded his criticism by naming the groups that have been ignored: vice‑presidents, members of the FIFA Council, confederations, national federations, players, competitions, clubs and fans. He added that even the FIFA board itself was misled, describing the prolonged omission and unilateral abuse of power as "not insignificant."

He warned that the episode highlights a lack of trust, transparency, discernment, good governance and, above all, respect. Lamour called for football’s political leaders to ask the right questions and make the right decisions, insisting the project must not proceed for obvious reasons.

According to Lamour, FIFA’s purpose is to serve the sport, not the personal interests of an individual who mistakenly believes he represents FIFA while he should be serving it. He argued that everyone must assume responsibility, as the board’s ability to fulfil its mission is increasingly compromised under the current circumstances.

Lamour also reflected on the role of a FIFA president, saying the office should bring people together, unite and inspire. "Today we experience the opposite," he said, adding that many colleagues no longer feel proud to work for FIFA, a situation that makes him sad.

Acknowledging the personal risk, Lamour said he is aware of his duty of loyalty to his employer but also to the values he was raised with and to his colleagues. He declared that if his remarks cost him his job, he will accept the decision and be able to sleep well that night.

The stark contrast between Lamour’s appeal for collective stewardship and Infantino’s perceived solo agenda reveals a deepening rift within FIFA’s leadership. The next steps now rest with those who hold the power to reshape the organisation’s direction.