FIFA announced a significant hiring from UEFA, bringing onboard one of the most esteemed executives in European soccer. Kevin Lamour, currently serving as UEFA’s deputy general secretary, is set to join FIFA as chief operating officer starting on November 1. Lamour, a 44-year-old French official, has been associated with UEFA in two separate periods since 2007, earning praise for his dedication to promoting good governance within soccer organizations.

This move sees Lamour reuniting with FIFA president Gianni Infantino and secretary general Mattias Grafström. The trio previously collaborated during their time at UEFA and throughout Infantino’s successful election bid in 2016. Despite an opportunity to work for FIFA in the past, Lamour chose to return to UEFA following the investigation into financial misconduct involving then-UEFA president Michel Platini and former FIFA president Sepp Blatter.

Having been uninvolved in the mentioned case, Lamour resumed his responsibilities within UEFA when Aleksander ?eferin took over as the new UEFA president. Despite historical tensions between FIFA and UEFA under Infantino and ?eferin’s leadership, FIFA expressed gratitude for the smooth and prompt transition of Lamour to FIFA. This high-profile signing aims to reinforce FIFA’s operations with Lamour’s wealth of experience and dedication to upholding good governance principles within soccer organizations.