A FIFA vice-president has withdrawn his support for the organisation’s embattled president, Gianni Infantino, describing the “unexpected dismissal” of critic Kevin Lamour as the “final straw”.
Hungarian FIFA vice-president and council member Sandor Csanyi said Infantino had lost the confidence he previously placed in him, citing concerns over a series of controversial decisions surrounding this year’s World Cup.
In a letter seen by AFP on Wednesday and sent to Infantino on Tuesday, Csanyi said his belief that the FIFA president could continue to lead the organisation effectively had been undermined.
“My conviction that you are capable of continuing to lead FIFA successfully and effectively in accordance with the shared values that previously formed the basis of our cooperation has been undermined,” Csanyi wrote.
The billionaire businessman and head of the Hungarian Football Federation (MLSZ) also referred to information that Infantino had been working on plans to outsource FIFA competitions and place them under the control of external parties.
He said the dismissal of Lamour was the final development that prompted him to withdraw his support.
“The final straw was the unexpected dismissal of Kevin Lamour,” Csanyi said, adding that the decision “points to serious shortcomings in professional judgement, ethical standards and leadership”.
Lamour, a Frenchman who served as FIFA’s chief operating officer, reportedly fell out with senior FIFA directors last month after publicly criticising Infantino’s now-abandoned proposal to allow private investment in World Cups.
UEFA vice-president Laura McAllister also criticised Lamour’s dismissal on Tuesday, saying it sent a “deeply troubling message” to those seeking change within football’s governing structures.
