Norway soccer president Lise Klaveness criticized FIFA’s decision to dismiss a senior official who spoke out against Gianni Infantino’s World Cup financial plan, calling it unacceptable and urging FIFA leaders to resist potentially harmful directives. The removal of FIFA’s chief operating officer, Kevin Lamour, occurred shortly after his public criticism of Infantino’s $20 billion private equity initiative, which was subsequently abandoned. Klaveness expressed her disappointment in Lamour’s dismissal, describing him as an exceptional football administrator and emphasizing the importance of standing up against directives that do not serve the best interests of football.
As a former Norway international player and a member of UEFA’s executive committee, Klaveness highlighted Lamour’s significant contributions to football governance. Lamour, who had a longstanding professional relationship with Infantino, raised serious concerns about the lack of transparency in Infantino’s leadership, triggering a crisis within FIFA.
The backlash from various football bodies was a result of a secretive plan to sell future World Cup profits to investors, prompting Lamour to speak out against the deception faced by FIFA staff and the need for better treatment. Klaveness emphasized that Lamour’s intervention was crucial in halting the controversial project and shedding light on the internal dynamics at FIFA.
Despite FIFA characterizing Lamour’s departure as an amicable parting, Klaveness insisted that it was a forced termination orchestrated by FIFA’s leadership under pressure from the president. Infantino convened a meeting in Morocco, excluding Lamour, where senior management expressed support for his presidency. Klaveness criticized the culture of fear and lack of transparency within FIFA, emphasizing the need for decisions that prioritize football’s best interests.
Infantino, who previously seemed poised for uncontested reelection, now faces challenges following the uproar over his proposed “FIFA Forward Enterprise” initiative. The deadline for potential challengers to enter the presidential race is set for November 18.
