**Infantino Loses More Support Following COO Dismissal**
In a significant shift within FIFA's leadership dynamics, more national football federations and officials have publicly withdrawn their support for President Gianni Infantino following the recent departure of Chief Operating Officer Kevin Lamour. This move has been characterized by some FIFA vice-presidents as the "final straw" in a series of controversies surrounding Infantino's administration.
FIFA announced on Monday that Lamour had left the organization, a decision that came just weeks after he openly criticized Infantino's controversial proposal to sell a stake in the commercial rights of the World Cup and other tournaments. Lamour's exit has led to increased scrutiny of Infantino's leadership, with Hungary’s Sandor Csanyi, one of FIFA's vice-presidents, explicitly stating that the dismissal was unexpected and detrimental to the organization.
In a letter addressed to Infantino, Csanyi expressed his discontent, stating, “Kevin performed his duties to a high professional and ethical standard... The fact that his dismissal was prompted by his criticism... points to serious shortcomings in professional judgment, ethical standards, and leadership.” This sentiment reflects a growing concern among FIFA officials regarding Infantino's governance style and decision-making processes.
The fallout from Lamour's departure has not been limited to Csanyi. Other notable figures within FIFA, including UEFA President Aleksander Ceferin, AFC President Sheikh Salman bin Ebrahim Al-Khalifa, and Concacaf President Vittorio Montagliani, have also voiced their disapproval of Infantino’s conduct. Their criticisms highlight a broader dissatisfaction with the current administration and its approach to leadership.
Dejan Savicevic, a FIFA Council member and president of the Montenegro Football Association, has also withdrawn his support for Infantino. In a letter to FIFA Secretary General Mattias Grafstrom, Savicevic described the recent developments as “extremely worrying,” citing a lack of communication and transparency not only with member associations but also within FIFA's internal structures. He emphasized the need for a thorough review of FIFA's leadership actions, echoing concerns raised by other European national associations.
In a unanimous decision, the Israel Football Association (IFA) has also opted to withdraw its support for Infantino's re-election, following a board meeting that underscored the growing discontent with the FIFA president's leadership. The Football Association of Wales (FAW) has similarly called for Infantino’s resignation, with Chief Executive Noel Mooney condemning the proposal to “sell off the crown jewels” of football to private equity investors.
Despite the mounting opposition from several confederations, Infantino still retains backing from the African confederation CAF and South America’s Conmebol. CAF President Patrice Motsepe, who also serves as a FIFA vice-president, has cautioned that any attempt to remove Infantino should be democratically decided by FIFA’s 211 member associations during the upcoming elections.
As Infantino prepares for re-election in March, aiming for a fourth term that would extend his presidency until 2031, the internal strife within FIFA raises questions about the future direction of the organization. The ongoing criticisms and withdrawals of support from influential football federations could significantly impact Infantino's campaign and the stability of FIFA's governance.
With the situation evolving, FIFA has not issued any official comments regarding the criticisms or the circumstances surrounding Lamour's departure. As the football community watches closely, the implications of these developments for both Infantino's presidency and FIFA's overall governance remain to be seen.