Fifa boycott: Three options for Uefa and the World Cup

Europe's footballing nations will meet on Friday to discuss splitting away from Fifa and holding a breakaway World Cup in 2018.

It comes as the aftershocks of Sepp Blatter's re-election last week as president of the governing body despite the arrest of several senior officials on charges of corruption.

Here are three options for the European footballing associations to consider:

1. Independent boycott

An independent boycott of the World Cup finals would be unlikely to affect anyone but the FA. The idea was ruled out by chairman Greg Dyke, who has already said a one-association protest against Fifa would be futile.

2. Uefa boycott

Take part in a European bloc boycott of the World Cup finals in the hope it will force Blatter’s resignation. Talks will take place on Friday regarding a proposal made by Danish Uefa executive committee member Allan Hansen. They will be finalised in September.

3. Do nothing

In the past a boycott of the World Cup has been seen as too radical. Even after England’s 2018 vote humiliation, the mood in the FA was to “build bridges” with Fifa. But this option seems no longer politically acceptable.

More: The 12 most farcical things Sepp Blatter has said or done as Fifa president

More: Europe plots to stage an 'alternative World Cup' in place of Russia 2018

Comment: Uefa must tell Sepp Blatter – we can boycott the World Cup and we are not afraid to do so