FIFA vice president withdraws support for embattled president Infantino
· Yahoo Sports
FIFA vice president Sándor Csányi has withdrawn his support for president Gianni Infantino, saying that his recent firing of the organization's chief operating officer was "the final straw."
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Earlier this week, FIFA confirmed that COO Kevin Lamour had left the organization after his open criticism of Infantino's plan to bring private investment into FIFA.
Though FIFA didn't indicate whether Lamour was fired or resigned, both The Times and Sky News reported that Lamour had indeed been fired.
The fallout of Infantino's plan, which has since been aborted, has been swift. Three confederations – Concacaf, UEFA and the AFC – have expressed doubts over Infantino's leadership, leading to real questions over whether he can survive.
A letter from Csányi, who is one of eight vice presidents on the influential FIFA Council, will raise even more concerns for Infantino.
"The final straw was the unexpected dismissal of Kevin Lamour," Csányi wrote in the letter, seen by multiple outlets including Reuters.
"Kevin performed his duties to a high professional and ethical standard and, as a highly competent executive, made a significant contribution to the transparent operation of the organization.
"The fact that his dismissal was prompted by his criticism of the above-mentioned initiative – an initiative that you yourself ultimately acknowledged to have been misguided – points to serious shortcomings in professional judgement, ethical standards and leadership."
Csányi has been on the FIFA Council since 2017 and also serves as the president of the Hungarian Football Federation.
Lamour released a scathing statement on Infantino's proposal to the AP at the end of July.According to Lamour, the plan was "the project of one person."
He added: "Not only must this project not go ahead … but the time has now come for football political leaders to ask themselves the right questions and make the right decisions."
Infantino is up for reelection in March as he seeks a fourth term. He was expected to run unopposed but the backlash to his proposal may lead to a contested election.
This article originally appeared on USA TODAY: FIFA vice president withdraws support for embattled president Infantino