UEFA president Lennart Johansson warned FIFA last night that they run the risk Europe "won't participate" in the World Cup if football's world governing body press on with proposals for a biennial tournament.

Johansson is furious with FIFA president Sepp Blatter for failing to consult him over his proposals for a World Cup every two years instead of four. Blatter had rejected claims that he and Johansson were at loggerheads over the proposals for a biennial tournament, which UEFA fear will clash with the European Championship.

But last night Johansson said Blatter, who beat him to become FIFA president last year, had behaved unacceptably by floating the idea without first consulting him.

"I was extremely surprised that we went back to the old system where the president allowed himself to make statements about anything without asking anyone and that I cannot accept," said Johansson.

"UEFA from a sporting and finance point of view is of importance. It would have been good if he started by talking to us."

Asked if he thought the Blatter plan, which got a distinctly mixed reception around the world, was therefore doomed to failure, Johansson said: "No, he can come through with it but the risk is that Europe won't participate."

FIFA's strategic studies committee, which can propose changes to international competitions, is set to discuss Blatter's suggestion in depth later this month.

The FIFA chief hopes that a World Cup-style international tournament can be arranged to celebrate the world body's 100th anniversary in 2004 - which would clash with the European Championship - though he has conceded that the biennial World Cup could not be introduced before 2006.