England instructed to boycott World Cup as FIFA controversy takes another twist | Football | Sport

England have been told to take a stand against FIFA’s controversial plans to sell off stakes in the World Cup. The governing body released the proposal earlier this week, but it was met with fierce backlash from all corners of the footballing world.

UEFA have been leading the campaign against FIFA’s plans, dubbing it as “crossing the line” and “selling the soul” of the sport. The European governing body called an emergency meeting to discuss the developments, with suggestions one of the moves could be a World Cup boycott.

If they were to push through with this plan, it would see the major European nations abstain from competing at the World Cup. This would represent a major blow for FIFA, given how important the UEFA teams are to the branding and watchability of the World Cup.

And Express Sport readers have voted en masse to say the FA should pull England of FIFA-mandated competitions, including the World Cup. Of those who cast their votes in our latest poll, a whopping 88 per cent of them said a World Cup boycott would be an appropriate response to FIFA’s planned changes.

Those that disagreed with the proposed action made up 10 per cent of the overall vote, while two per cent remained on the fence. Remarkably though, it wouldn’t be the first time England have opted to stay at home when a World Cup has been taking place.

The Three Lions didn’t enter any World Cup before the 1950s, as the FA were initially stalwarts of the amateur game and didn’t want to associate themselves with the emerging professional aspects. Meanwhile, there are other suggestions that England weren’t willing to enter amid fears of losing and being shown up on the world stage.

Whether they’ll have to contend with that decision again remains to be seen, but it’s clear the FA are unhappy with the proposals. A statement on the matter read: “We were completely unaware of this proposal and have no substantive details, including what the proposition actually is, and what conditions are attached.

“Based on the limited information, we are deeply concerned about the lack of process and governance to get to this point, and the apparent substance and principles involved. When the proposal is shared in the full and transparent way now promised by FIFA, we will make our views clear, and comment further.”