2 weeks ago
Norway's Klaveness Slams FIFA Boss Infantino Over Executive's Firing
FIFA is the group that runs soccer all around the world.
Its president, Gianni Infantino, wanted to sell part of future World Cup money to investors so each of the 211 member countries could get $20 million.
A top helper at FIFA, Kevin Lamour, said the workers were not told the truth about the plan, and the plan was soon stopped.
A few weeks later, Lamour lost his job.
The president of Norway's soccer group, Lise Klaveness, said getting rid of Lamour was unfair and that people at FIFA are scared to disagree.
She thinks those in charge at FIFA should not follow orders that are bad for soccer.
FIFA says thank you to Lamour for his work and wishes him well.
Some leaders who met with Infantino in Morocco said they still support him.
Other soccer groups in Europe, Asia, and North America did not like the secret investment plan.
The story shows that even big sports organizations have disagreements about how they are run.
FIFA fired chief operating officer Kevin Lamour late Monday, 17 days after he criticized President Gianni Infantino's plans.
Lamour had accused Infantino of deceiving FIFA staff over a now-failed plan to sell future World Cup profits.
Norway soccer president Lise Klaveness called the firing 'unacceptable' and a case of 'management by fear.'
The abandoned plan involved a $4.2 billion investment for a 20% stake in a FIFA commercial spin-off, with $20 million offers to each of 211 member federations.
FIFA said it thanked Lamour for his two years of service, while senior managers who met Infantino in Rabat reaffirmed their full support for his presidency.
- Who
- Lise Klaveness, president of the Norwegian soccer federation, criticising FIFA President Gianni Infantino over the firing of chief operating officer Kevin Lamour.
- What
- FIFA dismissed its chief operating officer after he publicly criticised Infantino's failed plan to sell future World Cup profits to private investors.
- Where
- Lamour oversaw much of FIFA's operations in Zurich; Infantino met senior managers in Rabat, Morocco.
- When
- The firing took place late Monday, 17 days after Lamour's statement on July 31; Infantino held a meeting with senior managers on Aug. 5.
- Why
- Lamour said FIFA staff had been 'deceived' by Infantino's lack of openness over the investment plan, and Klaveness described the dismissal as 'management by fear.'
Critics of FIFA leadership
FIFA leadership
Lamour's dismissal
Critics of FIFA leadership
The firing is unacceptable, amounts to 'management by fear,' and was likely done under pressure from Infantino, says Lise Klaveness.
FIFA leadership
FIFA thanked Lamour for his two years of service and wished him well for the future, without acknowledging wrongdoing.
World Cup investment plan
Critics of FIFA leadership
The plan to sell future World Cup profits was secretive, staff were deceived, and Lamour's statement was necessary to kill the project.
FIFA leadership
The proposal would have delivered $20 million to each of 211 member federations through a $4.2 billion investor stake.
Support for Infantino
Critics of FIFA leadership
FIFA leadership and administration should not submit to orders that are not in the interests of football, and staff deserve better than 'contempt and intimidation.'
FIFA leadership
Senior managers who met Infantino in Rabat 'reaffirmed their full support' of his presidency, and FIFA apologised for errors.
Key facts
- Fired official
- Kevin Lamour, FIFA chief operating officer
- FIFA president
- Gianni Infantino
- Proposed investment
- $4.2 billion for a 20% stake in a FIFA commercial spin-off
- Offers to member federations
- $20 million to each of 211 national member federations
- Deadline to accept offers
- Mid-September
- Lamour's statement date
- July 31
- Crisis meeting
- Aug. 5 in Rabat, Morocco, with senior managers minus Lamour
- Lamour's FIFA tenure
- Two years, after serving at UEFA from 2007-15
Quotes
Lise Klaveness
Norway football president and former international player, judge, and UEFA executive
“Now he is thrown out and we are supposed to move on. It’s unacceptable, it’s management by fear.”
republicworld.com
Kevin Lamour
Former FIFA chief operating officer and longtime FIFA executive
“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.”
republicworld.com
Sources
Related news
Lamour Exits FIFA COO Role After Criticising Infantino's Plan
Norwegian FA Demands FIFA President Infantino's Resignation, Citing Lost Trust
Luis Figo demands Infantino's resignation over FIFA investment scheme
Figo Demands 'Deceitful' Infantino Resign to Save Football
FIFA backs Infantino after crisis talks over shelved privatisation plan
Italy’s new far-right party overtakes Forza Italia in polls
Josh Kushner Regrets Involvement in Aborted FIFA World Cup Deal
Meloni’s Record Italian Government Faces an Uncertain Political Future
Dutch Football Federation Withdraws Support for Gianni Infantino
Dutch Federation Seeks Infantino Exit and Sweeping FIFA Reform
