A dispute has emerged within FIFA’s leadership over President Gianni Infantino’s proposal to sell stakes in future World Cup profits to private equity investors. Kevin Lamour, the organization’s chief operating officer, released a statement indicating that FIFA staff were kept in the dark about the plan during its development and expressed concerns about how the proposal was handled internally.
Lamour stated that the initiative represents the vision of a single individual and argued it should not move forward. He suggested that football’s political leadership should reconsider the direction of the organization, positioning his critique as a matter of principle regarding how major decisions are made within FIFA. Though Lamour indicated he understood potential consequences for his public stance, he chose to maintain his position held since 2024 rather than resign.
The criticism from senior management intensified when Carlos Cordeiro, a longtime adviser to Infantino and former U.S. Soccer Federation president with a background in investment banking, announced his resignation from his role. Cordeiro stated he was not consulted on the proposal and opposed it categorically. He argued that FIFA’s existing financial position—including billions in reserves and substantial recent World Cup revenues—made the sale unnecessary. Cordeiro characterized the arrangement as mortgaging football’s future without adequate justification.
Infantino’s plan calls for restructuring FIFA’s commercial operations into a $20 billion subsidiary with 20 percent private ownership. The lead investor identified is Joshua Kushner. FIFA has established a September 19 deadline for member federations to decide whether to accept $20 million payments being offered as incentives.
The proposal has faced significant opposition. European soccer nations have announced plans to boycott the World Cup and other FIFA competitions in protest. North American soccer bodies have also rejected the initiative. Infantino, who has led FIFA for more than a decade, is expected to face a re-election vote next March, with a November 18 deadline for nomination of challenger candidates.
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