FIFA president Gianni Infantino is facing renewed criticism from within football’s governing body after one of his vice-presidents publicly withdrew his support, citing concerns over leadership, ethics and controversial decisions surrounding the organisation.
Sandor Csanyi, the Hungarian businessman, banker and president of the Hungarian Football Federation (MLSZ), told Infantino that he had lost confidence in his leadership following a series of decisions that, in his view, raised serious questions about the direction of FIFA.
In a letter sent to Infantino on Tuesday and seen by AFP on Wednesday, Csanyi said Infantino had “lost the confidence I previously placed in you”.
“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 Hungarian official singled out several issues, including decisions connected with this year’s World Cup and information that Infantino had been working on plans to outsource FIFA competitions to external parties.
Csanyi said the dismissal of Kevin Lamour, a senior FIFA official who had publicly challenged the organisation’s leadership, ultimately became the decisive factor in his decision to withdraw his support.
“The final straw was the unexpected dismissal of Kevin Lamour,” the letter said.
According to Csanyi, the decision to remove Lamour “points to serious shortcomings in professional judgement, ethical standards and leadership”.
Lamour dismissal sparks backlash
Lamour, a Frenchman who served as FIFA’s chief operating officer, had found himself increasingly at odds with senior figures within the organisation after publicly breaking ranks over Infantino’s plans to introduce private investment into World Cup-related competitions.
The proposal had generated controversy within football circles before ultimately being scrapped.
Lamour’s criticism reportedly intensified tensions within FIFA, with his subsequent dismissal now becoming a flashpoint for wider concerns about how the organisation is being run.
Csanyi’s intervention is particularly significant because he is not an outside critic. As a FIFA vice-president and member of the FIFA Council, he occupies one of the most senior positions within the governing structure of world football.
His decision to withdraw his support therefore represents a direct challenge to Infantino from within FIFA’s own leadership ranks.
UEFA official also voices concern
The controversy has also drawn criticism from European football officials.
On Tuesday, UEFA vice-president Laura McAllister described Lamour’s dismissal as deeply concerning, warning that the decision could have wider implications for those seeking reform within football’s governing institutions.
McAllister said FIFA’s decision to dismiss Lamour sent a “deeply troubling message to all of us seeking change”.
Her comments, coming shortly before Csanyi’s letter became public, add to the growing pressure on Infantino as questions emerge over the governance and strategic direction of FIFA.
Questions over FIFA competitions
Csanyi’s letter also raised concerns about what he described as plans to place FIFA competitions in the hands of external parties.
The Hungarian football chief cited information that Infantino had been working “on plans to outsource FIFA competitions and place them in the hands of external parties”.
Although the proposal was not ultimately pursued, Csanyi said the episode formed part of a broader pattern of controversial decisions that had weakened his confidence in FIFA’s leadership.
The dispute comes at a sensitive time for the organisation, with FIFA preparing for another major World Cup cycle and facing heightened scrutiny over commercial, governance and competition-related decisions.
For Infantino, the loss of support from a sitting FIFA vice-president could prove politically significant. It also raises the prospect of deeper divisions within the organisation as officials debate how FIFA should balance commercial ambitions with transparency, institutional accountability and the interests of its member associations.
The latest developments suggest that the controversy surrounding Lamour’s dismissal may extend beyond the fate of one senior official, potentially becoming a broader debate about leadership and governance at the top of world football.