Uefa president Aleksander Ceferin did not attend the World Cup final between Argentina and Spain when he protested against Fifa.
While the Slovenian international traveled to Mexico City for the opening game between the hosts and South Africa, he skipped the trip to New Jersey on Sunday after a series of decisions by the world’s governing body.
Uefa has reacted strongly after American striker Folarin Balogun escaped his suspension following the intervention of American President Donald Trump.
This had a big impact on Ceferin’s decision not to go to the finals.
Uefa criticized Fifa’s decision at the time, calling it “unprecedented, incomprehensible and unfair”.
“If the certainty of the rules is no longer guaranteed by its guardians, the integrity of the game is at risk and undermines the credibility of the competition,” said a Uefa statement.
Ceferin is also strongly opposed to many other reforms pushed by Fifa president Gianni Infantino, including halftime matches. They will not be introduced in the Champions League or the European Championship.
Pop giants Madonna, BTS, Shakira and Justin Bieber were among the acts to perform at the event, which stretched the usual 15-minute intermission to 27 minutes and 22 seconds.
Uefa is also dealing with the World Cup with 64 teams, which Infantino seemed to open the doors to during the tournament.
After referee Omar Artan was denied entry to the US before the tournament began, Uefa invited Somalia to host the Super Cup between Paris St-Germain and Aston Villa on 12 August.
The high ticket prices have also been seen as questionable by Uefa.
Uefa will freeze ticket prices for Euro 2028 – meaning fans will be able to buy five for the price of one parking space at World Cup venues in the United States this summer.
BBC Sport reported on Friday that Uefa has instructed its VAR not to consider diving under a new false identity, as Fifa did during the World Cup. This led to Swiss striker Breel Embolo being sent off with a red card when they lost to Argentina.
Players who keep their mouths shut against opponents will no longer be given red cards in Uefa competitions.
The issue of players keeping their mouths shut became a topic of conversation in February when Benfica legend Gianluca Prestianni lifted his shirt while talking to Real Madrid’s Vinicius Jr during a Champions League match.
The Argentinian was accused of racial abuse and was given a one-match ban. Following a Uefa investigation, Prestianni was found guilty of homophobia and handed a six-match ban – three of which were suspended.
The change to the red card rule was the brainchild of FIFA president Infantino, who wanted something that would “have an impact” on the World Cup.
Miguel Almiron from Paraguay was the first player to be sent off with a red card in his team’s World Cup group game against Turkey. Arsenal defender Piero Hincapie then saw red in Ecuador’s last 16 exit against co-hosts Mexico.
