Lucy Bronze backs Uefa boycott for future of game

England defender Lucy Bronze has said that a Uefa boycott of Fifa competitions would be the "right thing" for the future of the game, even though it could have significant consequences for women's football.

The 55 member associations of European football's governing body voted to boycott all Fifa competitions after Fifa president Gianni Infantino announced plans to sell stakes in competitions to private investors. The proposals were later abandoned, with Infantino apologising for his "errors", but Uefa said in a statement on Thursday that the boycott could still go ahead.

Potential impact on women's tournaments

Women's football would be the first to feel the effects if Uefa's stance is upheld. The Fifa Under-20 Women's World Cup is due to start on 5 September, with six European teams – England, France, Italy, Portugal, Spain and hosts Poland – scheduled to take part.

Speaking in New Zealand during Chelsea's pre-season tour, Bronze said: "I think the players who play in those competitions, the European players, we stand by our beliefs and what the right thing is for our game."

She added: "And if that means boycotting competitions, then that has to happen. It's for the future of the game and not just for me today and tomorrow. It's for all the little girls or little boys who come after us to make sure that they're in a good place when the game's moving forward in decades to come, not just tomorrow."

World Cup qualifiers at risk

In October, England, Northern Ireland, Scotland, Wales and the Republic of Ireland are all scheduled to play qualifiers for next summer's Women's World Cup in Brazil. If Uefa's boycott prevents them from taking part in the play-offs, European teams – including defending champions Spain – would be unable to compete in the tournament, which begins in June.

Also in October, the Under-17 Women's World Cup is scheduled to take place in Morocco.

Former England defender Anita Asante told BBC Sport: "The first casualties will be women's football tournaments. If this isn't resolved by the time of England's qualifiers, then the impact could be huge and it is already a busy schedule."

Baroness Campbell, former Football Association director of women's football, described the situation as "tragic" for the women's game.

The English FA has sent a letter withdrawing its support for Infantino, while Wales, Albania and Croatia are among other individual associations to have turned their back on the 56-year-old.