Gary Neville says Ronaldo and Messi boycotting the World Cup would end Blatter’s reign

THE only way to end Sepp Blatter’s controversial presidency of FIFA is to take away those that matter most: the players.

That’s according to former England and Manchester United star Gary Neville, who has proposed a stunning move whereby the biggest stars in the game in Cristiano Ronaldo and Lionel Messi should boycott the next World Cup.

Writing for the UK’s Telegraph, Neville said that combined player power could do what sponsors and the game’s stakeholders could not and get rid of president Sepp Blatter.

“The quickest and best way to bring Blatter down is to take players away from him. You will struggle to take the African or Asian votes away from him, but players can become a unified force,” said Neville.

“FIFA and Blatter would be nothing without the players. It would need to be a coordinated and united force.”

It’s not just any players that the Sky Sports pundit wants to make a move though, it’s the game’s biggest drawcards.

“Just think of Cristiano Ronaldo and Lionel Messi, the two biggest stars in the game right now, and consider a World Cup without those two,” said Neville.

“The tournament would not exist if Ronaldo and Messi turned their backs on the World Cup because of the way FIFA is running the game. This would impact sponsors and broadcasters and in turn bring this whole debacle of an organisation to a standstill.

Joined by Messi, their withdrawal could end Blatter’s presidency. Source: AFP

Ronaldo’s World Cup absence would be a huge blow to the sport. Source: AFP

“Sepp Blatter has reigned over turmoil for years now and he is the man at the top of the operation, but he is still in charge and it is beyond laughable and unprecedented, in politics, sport or industry, where one individual can remain in power like this.

“Maybe the only way to get rid of him is if players get together and vote not to play in his tournaments.

“If that happens, he is done.”

Neville gained a reputation as being a “political” footballer during his playing days, earning the nickname “Red Nev” after trying to lead the England team in a strike after Rio Ferdinand was left out of the side following a missed drug test in 2003.

The current England assistant made his claims after Blatter was re-elected for a fifth term as FIFA president despite football’s governing body being embroiled in a corruption scandal that has seen nine officials arrested.