Eto'o backs Infantino amid FIFA turmoil

Eto'o’s Unexpected Support

Former Chelsea and Everton striker Samuel Eto'o, now president of the Cameroonian football federation, has surprisingly defended FIFA President Gianni Infantino. Speaking to CNN Sports, Eto'o said, “I don’t think that President Gianni Infantino has done anything wrong.” He added that the criticism is tied to the timing of an upcoming election in which Infantino is a candidate.

Infantino’s Controversial Plan

Infantino, 56, had proposed selling a share of the World Cup to external investors, a move that was quickly reversed after backlash. UEFA has already expressed a loss of confidence in Infantino’s leadership, and UK Prime Minister Andy Burnham has publicly criticized him, calling him unsuitable to decide the future of the game.

African Perspective on the Project

Eto'o highlighted that the cancelled project could have been “incredible” for African football, potentially shifting the balance of power and preventing African talent from being absorbed by other nations. He noted that “the bigger nations took up the media space,” but Infantino’s decision to withdraw the project was aimed at keeping football united.

The Opportunity for Smaller Nations

Eto'o praised Infantino for giving opportunities to nations that previously had limited chances to participate in the World Cup. He said, “He’s given opportunities to nations that didn’t have those opportunities to take part in the most beautiful tournament, the World Cup. He enabled smaller nations to get seats at these competitions.”

Hope for a Re-Election

Eto'o expressed confidence that if Infantino is re-elected, the project could be revisited. He stated, “After President Infantino is re-elected, we will have the strength to ask for this project to be put back on the table for discussion.” He concluded that a democratic vote would likely adopt the project because it serves the majority’s interests.

Concrete Call to Action

Eto'o’s statement ends with a call for other football presidents to re-read the project and support Infantino’s vision. He said, “I remain convinced that for us as Africans, this project was something that could have been incredible. I want to see all of my colleagues, all of the presidents, re-reading the project.”