ZURICH (AP) — FIFA's chief operating officer, Kevin Lamour, has reportedly left his role at soccer's governing body just weeks after saying its president, Gianni Infantino, had deceived staff with his World Cup sell-off plan.
Lamour, who is based in Zurich, all but invited Infantino to fire him in a statement to The Associated Press on Aug. 1 that defended his colleagues amid intense fallout from the plan to sell stakes in future World Cup profits to private equity funds.
Lamour wrote that staff were “deceived” by Infantino’s lack of openness in planning. He released the statement on the say day Infantino’s senior adviser, Carlos Cordeiro, decided to walk away and described the $20 billion commercial subsidiary plan as “a bad deal for football.”
Britain's Press Association late Monday quoted a FIFA spokesperson as saying: “FIFA can confirm that the working relationship between FIFA and Kevin Lamour as FIFA’s Chief Operating Officer has ended.”
“FIFA thanks Kevin for his two years of service and wishes him the best of luck for the future. No further comment will be made on the matter.”
Infantino is seeking reelection as FIFA president but remains under pressure after the heads of three continental confederations — for Europe, Asia and for North, Central America and the Caribbean — issued an open letter last week saying his World Cup plan was a “fundamental breach of trust” and described it as “deception.”
Infantino withdrew the $20 billion proposal after a furious backlash by global soccer officials, including European body UEFA, which has warned of a boycott of all FIFA games and events.
Some national federations have withdrawn their support for Infantino, although the heads of six Arab soccer federations last week expressed their “full support” and “confidence” in the president.
Infantino has been FIFA president since 2016 and, until the backlash over the so-called FIFA Forward Enterprise proposal, seemed sure to be reelected unopposed next year in Morocco. FIFA has set a Nov. 18 deadline for challengers to come forward.
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FILE - FIFA President Gianni Infantino makes comments during the opening ceremony of the International Broadcast Center, June 1, 2026, in Dallas. (AP Photo/Tony Gutierrez, File)
MACKAY, Australia (AP) — Australia's has dropped Jake Weatherald and recalled Matt Renshaw in a bid to stabilize the top order and try to level the two-match series after a shocking loss to Bangladesh in the first cricket test on the weekend.
Australia announced a 13-man squad on Tuesday, with only the one change for the second test in Mackay, in northern Queensland state, starting Saturday.
Weatherald was out for 23 in the first innings and didn't score in the second innings of Australia's nine-wicket defeat in Darwin, and averaged 20.36 in his 12 test innings. Marnus Labuschagne, who scored 1 and 31, was retained in the squad despite concern over his form.
The 30-year-old Renshaw is a contender to open the innings for Australia with Travis Head in his latest comeback to the test lineup.
Renshaw made his debut in 2016 and played 11 tests before being dropped in 2018. He was recalled in 2023 for three tests but has only played in the shorter formats for Australia since then. He averages 29.31 with one century in 14 tests, but has only played one of his last 10 tests on Australian soil.
Bangladesh's first ever test win in Australia put pressure on national cricket selectors for an overhaul, but the bulk of the aging squad was retained despite being outplayed in Darwin, where the likes of Mehidy Hasan Miraz and Tanzid Hasan made the most of the tropical conditions.
The victory was celebrated back home, too, with the squad receiving a congratulatory video call from Bangladesh Prime Minister.
Australia squad: Pat Cummins (captain), Scott Boland, Alex Carey, Cameron Green, Josh Hazlewood, Travis Head, Josh Inglis, Marnus Labuschagne, Nathan Lyon, Matthew Renshaw, Steve Smith, Mitchell Starc, Beau Webster
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Australian captain Pat Cummins, second left, leads his players from the field following their nine wicket loss to Bangladesh on day four of the first cricket test in Darwin, Australia, Sunday, Aug. 16, 2026. (James Ross/AAP Image via AP)
Mehidy Hasan Miraz of Bangladesh takes a selfie with fans after defeating Australia on day four of the first cricket test in Darwin, Australia, Sunday, Aug. 16, 2026. (James Ross/AAP Image via AP)
Marnus Labuschagne of Australia walks from the field after being dismissed by Taijul Islam of Bangladesh during play on day three of the first cricket test in Darwin, Australia, Saturday, Aug.15, 2026, (James Ross/AAPImage via AP)
Australia's Jake Weatherald reacts after he was dismissed during play on day three of the first cricket test against Bangladesh in Darwin, Australia, Saturday, Aug. 15, 2026, (James Ross/AAPImage via AP)
