FIFA has announced it is firing, or opting not to renew the contracts of seven employees, including director of communications Keith Cooper. Cooper was one of the most visible FIFA officials during the recent World Cup, running daily press conferences and serving as the main spokesman on a variety of issues, including referee controversies and ticketing problems. FIFA says the purge is part of its restructuring process, which President Sepp Blatter will address at the executive committeeÆs next meeting, in September. Cooper told Britain's Press Association: ''It is a huge shock and a bit difficult for me to understand, coming just two weeks after the World Cup, the most successful media operation of any sports event in history.'' Cooper has been head of FIFA communications department since 1995.