Uefa president boycotts World Cup final in protest against Fifa

A significant story is unfolding on the international scene. Uefa president boycotts World Cup final in protest against FifaImage source, Getty ImagesImage caption, Aleksander Ceferin was elected Uefa president in 2016ByDale Johnson Football issues correspondentPublished1 hour agoUefa president Aleksander Ceferin did not attend the World Cup final between Argentina and Spain in protest against Fifa. While the Slovenian did travel to Mexico City for the opening game between the co-hosts and South Africa, he snubbed the trip to New Jersey on Sunday after a series of decisions taken by world football's governing body. Uefa reacted strongly after United States striker Folarin Balogun escaped a suspension following an intervention from US President Donald Trump.

This was a key factor in Ceferin's decision not to go to the final. Uefa had criticised Fifa's decision at the time, calling it "unprecedented, incomprehensible and unjustifiable". "When the certainty of rules is no longer guaranteed by its guardians, the integrity of the game is at stake and the credibility of a competition is undermined," Uefa said in a statement.

The Details

Ceferin is also firmly against many other changes driven by Fifa president Gianni Infantino, including half-time shows. They will not be introduced to the Champions League or the European Championship. Pop giants Madonna, BTS, Shakira and Justin Bieber were among the acts to perform in the event, which extended the usual 15-minute half-time break to 27 minutes 22 seconds.

Uefa is also strongly against a 64-team World Cup, which Infantino appeared to open the door to during the tournament. After referee Omar Artan was denied entry to the US before the tournament started, Uefa invited the Somali to officiate the Super Cup between Paris St-Germain and Aston Villa on 12 August. The high ticket prices have also proved controversial within Uefa.

Uefa will broadly freeze ticket prices for Euro 2028 - meaning supporters will be able to buy five for the price of a single parking space at a World Cup stadium in the United States this summer. Sport reported on Friday how Uefa has instructed its VARs not to consider diving under the new mistaken identity protocol, as Fifa has during the World Cup. This led to Switzerland striker Breel Embolo being sent off in the quarter-final defeat to Argentina.

What Experts Say

Players who cover their mouths in confrontations with opponents will not be shown red cards in Uefa competitions either. The issue of players covering their mouths became high profile in February when Benfica winger Gianluca Prestianni raised his shirt while speaking to Real Madrid's Vinicius Jr during a Champions League game. The Argentina international was accused of racist abuse and provisionally banned for one match.

Following a Uefa investigation, Prestianni was found guilty of homophobic conduct and banned for six matches - three of which were suspended. The law change for a red card was the brainchild of Fifa president Infantino, who wanted something which would have "a deterrent effect" at the World Cup.

The development has drawn wide international attention, with diplomatic circles watching closely.