Sacked FIFA executive and Infantino critic tells colleagues 'it's about doing what's right'

The senior FIFA executive sacked for criticising Gianni Infantino's abandoned World Cup sell-off plan told colleagues "it's about doing what's right".

According to an internal FIFA email seen by Sky News, Kevin Lamour sent the farewell message after being dismissed as chief operating officer on Monday.

"Please never forget that in life, it's not about doing what's easy; it's about doing what's right," Mr Lamour wrote. "The vast majority of you have understood this and put it into practice in your work. Every single day. So, hats off to you and my deepest respect.

"FIFA is going through a difficult period, but don't worry. Everything will be okay in the end. If it's not okay it's not the end."

There was no reference to Mr Infantino in the email, but he did start it by praising the head of the administration - secretary general Mattias Grafstrom.

Mr Lamour wrote: "I would like to thank Mattias for his trust. His task is not an easy one, and he is doing his utmost to protect FIFA's interests.

"Mattias, I'm sorry for sometimes putting you in difficult situations... but thank you for always understanding me, never judging me and supporting me right up to the very end."

Mr Lamour thanked staff for the hundreds of messages that "really warmed my heart" since going public two and a half weeks ago in a statement urging Mr Infantino to drop the attempt to sell shares in the World Cup to private investors.

He claimed staff were "deceived" by the lack of transparency over the sell-off talks, adding that FIFA colleagues "deserve better than contempt and intimidation" after being "the project of one person".

Mr Lamour said in the staff email: "You can be proud of the work you do, and you can be proud of yourselves. Since coming here, I've met some outstanding professionals and wonderful people. You are FIFA. And without you, FIFA is nothing."

Mr Infantino is fighting on as FIFA president even as football associations withdraw support ahead of the election in March.

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Israel withdraws support for Infantino

It comes as Israel becomes the latest football association to withdraw its letter of support for Infantino's re-election.

In a letter seen by Sky News, Israel Football Association President Moshe Shino Zuares wrote to FIFA, saying: "Recent developments have caused an unprecedented crisis of trust, which we still hope can yet be resolved, between the vision held by UEFA and other confederations, and that of FIFA, regarding the governance of world football.

"The divide between the parties appears profound, substantive, and principled, compelling all stakeholders to reconsider the path forward.

"In the circumstances that have arisen, we have no choice but to retract our previous letter of support, in the sincere hope that fruitful dialogue among all parties will eventually restore a shared, proper vision and direction for world football."

Mr Zuares is also a UEFA executive committee member.

(c) Sky News 2026: Sacked FIFA executive and Infantino critic tells colleagues 'it's about doing what's right'