- The Guardian
- Issue #2199
Graphic: NikNaksCC – wikimedia.org (BY-SA 4.0)
Union of European Football Associations (UEFA) president Aleksander Ceferin stayed away from the World Cup final in protest, with the Folarin Balogun affair understood to be just one aspect of his organisation’s discontent with the Federation of International Football Associations (FIFA)’s handling of the cup.
The Times reported that the Slovenian had stayed away, with the relationship between European soccer’s governing body and the game’s global federation under severe strain.
It was reported that Ceferin chose not to attend the match in New Jersey over the UEFA president’s anger of FIFA handling of the World Cup. The European football body was publicly critical of the decision by FIFA’s disciplinary committee to suspend a one-match ban for United States striker Balogun, calling it “unprecedented, incomprehensible and unjustifiable” and saying it had “crossed a red line.”
The suspension of the ban followed a call from US President Donald Trump to FIFA president Gianni Infantino asking for a “review” of Balogun’s red card, raising questions of political influence in FIFA decision-making.
That influence certainly did not appear to be reciprocal, with FIFA powerless to prevent the US authorities sending home Somali referee Omar Artan before the tournament had even started. UEFA subsequently appointed Artan to officiate next month’s UEFA Super Cup final.
FIFA also failed to ensure equitable treatment for Iran compared to the other 47 nations, with the Asian nation subject to strict conditions on their entry to and exit from the US. Their coach, Amir Ghalenoei, said his team were the “most oppressed” at the World Cup, while US Homeland Security Secretary Markwayne Mullin said he “danced a happy dance” when the team were eliminated.
There is also discontent at UEFA over FIFA apparent willingness to bend or break soccer’s laws at the tournament – with “hydration breaks” effectively splitting matches into four-quarters and allowing broadcasters to cut to advertisements, and the 27-minute half-time interval at the World Cup final well in excess of the maximum 15 minutes permitted.
Ceferin has also been publicly critical of FIFA ticket pricing strategy for the tournament, with UEFA having revealed that 40 per cent of tickets for Euro 2028 will be in the most affordable categories and priced at around AU$60 to $115. The European body has also pledged not to adopt dynamic pricing.
