FIFA’s dismissal of a senior official who accused Gianni Infantino of misleading staff about a World Cup revenue plan drew sharp criticism from Norway soccer president Lise Klaveness on Tuesday. She called on other leaders at the organization to resist directives that could harm the sport.
The removal of FIFA chief operating officer Kevin Lamour on Monday followed his comments to the Associated Press 17 days earlier, in which he faulted Infantino’s $20 billion private equity initiative that collapsed shortly afterward.
Klaveness described the action as unacceptable and driven by fear, praising Lamour as the finest football administrator she had encountered. She urged FIFA leadership and staff, including secretary general Mattias Grafström, to reject instructions contrary to football’s interests.
A former Norwegian player, Oslo judge and UEFA executive committee member, Klaveness has long promoted governance standards in the sport.
Lamour worked closely with Infantino at UEFA from 2007 to 2015, joined his 2016 FIFA presidential campaign and moved to Zurich two years ago to manage operations.
His criticism heightened pressure on Infantino after UEFA, the Asian Football Confederation and CONCACAF opposed a confidential plan to sell future World Cup earnings to investors including Joshua Kushner.
The proposed $4.2 billion deal for a 20 percent stake aimed to distribute $20 million to each of FIFA’s 211 member federations, which already control the body and its large reserves, with a mid-September acceptance deadline.
In his July 31 statement, Lamour said staff felt deceived by the lack of transparency and deserved better treatment. He called on global soccer leaders to act responsibly, accepting possible job loss.
Klaveness stated the exit was a dismissal, not a resignation, and suggested Grafström acted under pressure from the president. FIFA thanked Lamour for his service and wished him well.
She noted his comments helped end the project by revealing internal concerns. After an August 5 meeting in Rabat without Lamour, FIFA apologized for mistakes and reported renewed support for Infantino.
Klaveness said reports from the meeting confirmed a climate of fear that does not serve football’s interests.
