Norway soccer chief condemns FIFA's dismissal of senior official

Norway Football Association president Lise Klaveness said the dismissal of FIFA chief operating officer Kevin Lamour was "unacceptable" and described it as "management by fear." Lamour, who had criticized President Gianni Infantino's $20 billion private-equity plan to sell future World Cup revenues, was removed a day after his remarks. Klaveness, a former Norway international player and UEFA executive committee member, urged FIFA leadership, including secretary-general Mattias Grafström, not to follow directives she believes are contrary to football's interests.

Lamour, a longtime colleague of Infantino from their time at UEFA and Infantino's 2016 presidential campaign, had warned staff that they were being deceived about the proposed sale, which would have given investors a 20 % stake in a commercial spin-off and offered $20 million to each of FIFA's 211 member associations. After his comments, FIFA announced Lamour's departure, thanking him for two years of service. Klaveness said the termination appeared to be pressure from the president, not a resignation.

FIFA later held a senior-management meeting in Rabat without Lamour and issued an apology for earlier errors, stating that attendees reaffirmed full support for Infantino's presidency. Klaveness warned that such actions do not serve football and called for leaders to make decisions in the sport's best interests.