Euro football head boycotted final protesting FIFA

Aleksander Ceferin

Uefa (Union of European Football Associations) 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.

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. (BBC sport)