During the opening match of a recent Club World Cup, the captain of one team chose not to shake hands with his opponents beforehand.

The tournament has faced significant criticism, mainly due to low attendance numbers in the United States and the players participating shortly after their domestic seasons concluded.

On Tuesday, River Plate from Argentina started their campaign with a 3-1 victory over Urawa Reds of Japan, with goals from Facundo Solidio, Sebastian Driussi, and Maximiliano Meza.

However, before kickoff, Urawa Reds’ captain, Marius Hoibraten, caused some surprise by refusing to shake hands with the opposing team.

After the players were introduced and entered the field at Seattle’s Lumen Field, Hoibraten walked past the River Plate players without engaging in the customary handshake. The rest of his team did shake hands, leaving their opponents puzzled.

Post-match, Hoibraten explained via social media that he had not realized he was supposed to participate in the handshake, due to unfamiliarity with the new setup. He expressed regret, apologized to his team and the fans, and congratulated the opponents on their win.

In the lineup, Hoibraten, versatile in defense, played centrally this time, having joined the team in 2023 after stints at Bodo/Glimt and Lillestrøm. He is also a former Norway U-21 international.

Meanwhile, the tournament’s attendance has been disappointing. Fewer than 600 fans attended a match at a 25,500-capacity Orlando stadium, and other games have seen similarly low turnouts, like a Chelsea match in Atlanta with only 22,000 spectators.

Ticket prices have been significantly reduced to boost interest, with some seats available for as little as $20. Despite efforts and investment, the tournament continues to struggle with engagement, highlighting ongoing challenges for the revamped event.