Marca: Cheferin s absence from the Women s Football European Cup has caused controversy, he promised to promote the development of women s football

According to Marca, UEFA President Cheferin's absence from the Women's Football European Cup has caused controversy, and he promised to promote the development of European women's football. UEFA President Cheferin's absence during the European Cup in the women's football team attracted attention, and although he attended the opening match between Switzerland and Norway on July 2, he has not appeared in any other matches since then. However, he is currently expected to attend the final of England against Spain this Sunday.

Cheferin's absence became a topic of private discussion among several football officials, especially in this large event that broke the attendance record and provided exciting matches. "His absence is regrettable, he missed the best football game of the year."

Because criticizing the UEFA president is a sensitive topic, people rarely publicly criticize international sports leaders because of their right to choose to host cities and state-owned voices, which could affect future cup hosting elections.

After Cheferin's absence became increasingly obvious in the group stage, UEFA did not respond to inquiries about his whereabouts. This week, UEFA confirmed that Cheferin has been on vacation in Croatia at least part of his time. A photo circulated last Tuesday showed Cheferin relaxing with tennis star Djokovic and Croatian stars Modric and Kovaci. The day the photo was spread, England defeated Italy in Geneva in the semi-finals, just 25 kilometers from Cheferin's UEFA headquarters in Nyon.

Last year, UEFA launched a six-year plan worth $1 billion to continue to drive the growth of European women's football. "Entering this exciting new era, we must continue to move forward with the same passion, and our commitment to this cause is as firm as ever," Cheferin wrote in a document released last October. However, this commitment has not translated into a real existence in the Women's European Cup.

Cheferin attended at least nine games in the men's European Cup held in Germany in 2024. It is understood that women's football has never dominated the election of UEFA president, and Cheferin has had no opponent twice since he was first elected in 2016. Although he promised to leave in 2027 after his most recent victory, he seems to have received enough support from UEFA member states to run again.