Norway soccer president Lise Klaveness criticized FIFA’s decision to dismiss a senior official who accused Gianni Infantino of misleading staff with his World Cup financial plan. Klaveness urged FIFA leaders to stand up against potentially harmful directives. The removal of FIFA’s chief operating officer Kevin Lamour occurred following his public criticism of Infantino’s $20 billion private equity scheme, which was swiftly abandoned. Klaveness expressed her discontent with Lamour’s dismissal, labeling it as “management by fear” and highlighting Lamour’s exceptional administrative skills.
As a former Norway international player, a judge in Oslo, and a member of UEFA’s executive committee, Klaveness has upheld her nation’s reputation for promoting good governance in soccer. Lamour, who had worked closely with Infantino at UEFA and FIFA, was regarded as a trusted figure in the realm of global soccer politics. His critique of Infantino’s leadership regarding a secretive World Cup profit-sharing proposal sparked a backlash from various soccer entities.
Lamour’s statement emphasized the lack of transparency in Infantino’s dealings and the need for better treatment of FIFA staff. Klaveness deemed Lamour’s departure as a forced termination orchestrated by FIFA’s leadership. FIFA expressed gratitude for Lamour’s service but did not address the circumstances surrounding his exit. Klaveness commended Lamour for his role in halting the controversial project and emphasized the importance of internal transparency within FIFA.
Infantino convened a meeting in Morocco without Lamour, where senior management reaffirmed their support for his presidency. Despite the recent turmoil, Infantino appeared to be on track for reelection until the backlash against his proposed “FIFA Forward Enterprise” initiative. The deadline for potential challengers to enter the election is set for November 18. Klaveness criticized the culture of fear within FIFA’s management and emphasized the need for decisions that prioritize the best interests of international football.
