Former Football Association chairman David Bernstein wants UEFA nations to boycott the World Cup in 2018.
World football’s governing body FIFA has been heavily criticised of late regarding the bidding process for the 2018 and 2022 World Cup tournaments, although a report has cleared both Qatar and Russia of any wrongdoings.
But, further to the report, various high class official’s, attorney’s and football men have claimed that the report was not fully consumed of all the facts.
And, Bernstein believes that FIFA now must reform to restore the confidence of UEFA, whom he believes should boycott the next World Cup.
“England on its own cannot influence this – one country can’t do it. If we tried to do something like that we’d be laughed at,” he told BBC Sport.
“I think England, within Uefa, undoubtedly have the power to influence Fifa but to do so they would have to consider withdrawing from the World Cup, the next World Cup, unless proper reform – including Mr [Sepp] Blatter not standing [for a fifth term as president] – is carried out at Fifa.
“If I was at the FA now, I would do everything I could to encourage other nations within Uefa – and there are some who would definitely be on side, others may be not – to take this line.
“At some stage you have to walk the talk, stop talking and do something. It sounds drastic but, frankly, this has gone on for years now, it’s not improving, it’s going from bad to worse to worse.
“There are 54 countries within Uefa. There’s Germany, Spain, Italy, France and Holland – all powerful. You can’t hold a serious World Cup without them. They have the power to influence if they have the will.
“I think it would be supported by responsible people in this country and actually by the public because, although the public of course want to see England play in the World Cup, I’m sure they would be prepared to take a degree of sacrifice to see that happen.”