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See the full story · 17 sourcesFIFA fury grows with calls for internal coup against Infantino
FIFA chief operating officer Kevin Lamour has publicly called for President Gianni Infantino to be removed after the controversial World Cup sell-off proposals. ‘If that means I lose my job, then so be it.’
The situation is spiralling out of control, with UEFA announcing they would boycott the World Cup as long as the idea of selling stakes in the tournament remained on the table.
That would also mean Italy , who are one of the founder members of UEFA.
They were joined in coming out against the plans by the Asian Football Confederation (AFC), and North and Central American Federation (Concacaf).
FIFA backlash against Infantino growing
MEXICO CITY, MEXICO – JUNE 10: Gianni Infantino, President of FIFA, speaks to the media during a FIFA World Cup 2026 Opening Press Conference at Mexico City Stadium on June 10, 2026 in Mexico City, Mexico. (Photo by Carl Recine/Getty Images)
The backlash has now struck within FIFA itself, with senior advisor to Infantino Carlos Cordeiro handing in his resignation today.
Now current FIFA chief operating officer Lamour has publicly called for a political coup that could topple President Infantino.
“It is the project of one person,” Lamour told the Associated Press.
“Not only must this project not go ahead … but the time has now come for football political leaders to ask themselves the right questions and make the right decisions.”
WASHINGTON, DC – MARCH 07: U.S. President Donald Trump speaks alongside President of Fédération Internationale de Football Association (FIFA) Gianni Infantino after unveiling the 2025 Club World Cup trophy in the Oval Office at the White House on March 07, 2025 in Washington, DC. President Trump signed an executive order establishing a White House Task Force for the 2026 World Cup. (Photo by Anna Moneymaker/Getty Images)
Lamour has been in his post at FIFA since 2024 and lashed out at Infantino, insisting staff felt “deceived” by the rushed announcement of this plan, so “deserve better than contempt and intimidation.”
He has no plans to resign, but challenged Infantino to fire him.
“And if that means I lose my job then so be it. I will understand and respect that decision. At least I’ll sleep well tonight.”
The clumsy handling of the proposal to create a commercial subsidiary to run tournaments that can then be purchased by external investors has so infuriated the football world, that Infantino’s position may well have become untenable.
Even if he backs down now, and it is clear the plan would not get the votes to go ahead, he has been significantly weakened.
This all erupts just as FIFA try to expand the next World Cup to 64 teams.
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