FIFA’s decision to dismiss the high-ranking official who accused Gianni Infantino of misleading staff with his World Cup funding proposal has sparked criticism from Norway soccer president Lise Klaveness. Klaveness expressed her disapproval, labeling the removal of FIFA’s chief operating officer, Kevin Lamour, as unacceptable during a recent interview with the Associated Press. She emphasized the need for FIFA leaders to resist potentially harmful directives.

Lamour’s termination occurred 17 days after he publicly criticized Infantino’s $20 billion private equity initiative, which was ultimately abandoned following the backlash. Klaveness described Lamour as “the best football administrator” she has encountered and urged FIFA leadership, particularly secretary general Mattias Grafström, not to comply with directives that do not serve football’s best interests.

A former Norway international player and elected executive committee member at UEFA, Klaveness has a strong commitment to upholding good governance in soccer, aligning with her nation’s reputation in this regard.

Having previously worked closely with Infantino at UEFA and during his FIFA presidential campaign, Lamour’s critique of Infantino’s leadership has escalated the crisis surrounding the FIFA president. The controversial plan to sell future World Cup profits to investors led to discontent within UEFA, the Asian Football Confederation, and CONCACAF.

In his statement on July 31, Lamour highlighted the lack of transparency in Infantino’s actions, stating that FIFA staff deserved better treatment. He called on global soccer leaders to prioritize the right decisions, even if it meant risking his job. Klaveness emphasized that Lamour’s departure was a termination rather than a resignation, suggesting external pressure influenced the decision.

FIFA expressed gratitude for Lamour’s service but acknowledged the necessity of his statement in halting the contentious project. Klaveness emphasized the importance of internal transparency within FIFA, pointing out that Lamour’s revelation was crucial in clarifying the situation.

Infantino held a meeting in Rabat, Morocco, excluding Lamour, where senior management reaffirmed their support for his presidency. Klaveness criticized the culture of fear within FIFA and raised concerns about the organization’s best interests.

The controversy surrounding Infantino’s proposed “FIFA Forward Enterprise” scheme has cast doubt on his anticipated uncontested reelection next year. The deadline for potential challengers to enter the presidential race is set for November 18.