Former Cameroon striker Samuel Eto'o has voiced support for FIFA President Gianni Infantino, who faces mounting calls to step down after a controversial plan to sell stakes in FIFA's competitions, including the World Cup, was shelved following widespread backlash.
Speaking to CNN, Eto'o, now president of the Cameroon Football Federation, insisted: “I don't think President Gianni Infantino has done anything wrong. I think the timing of everything is because an election is coming up.” The ex-Barcelona, Inter Milan, and Chelsea star suggested the wave of criticism is largely driven by political calculations ahead of next year's FIFA presidential vote.
Infantino's proposal, which was expected to channel significant financial resources to FIFA's 211 member associations, met with strong opposition from several continental confederations and was ultimately abandoned. UEFA threatened to boycott FIFA competitions, while numerous regional and national federations withdrew their support for Infantino.
However, the Confederation of African Football (CAF) earlier this month 'unanimously reaffirmed its support' for Infantino, and Eto'o's stance aligns with that position. He urged African nations to continue backing the Swiss official: “President Gianni Infantino has changed football. He has given opportunities to countries that previously had no chance to participate in the most beautiful tournament, the World Cup. He has helped federations on our continent grow faster, and we need to acknowledge and support what he has done.”
Meanwhile, a group of former international players, including World Cup winners and FIFA legends, on Monday demanded immediate changes at FIFA, accusing the leadership under Infantino of being 'blinded by power.' The group includes 1998 World Cup-winning French players Emmanuel Petit, Bixente Lizarazu, and Robert Pires, along with former U.S. women's World Cup winner Briana Scurry and former England international Lucy Bronze.
“We share exactly the same concerns as millions of fans around the world. Like them, we have watched the sport we love drift away from its core values under the current leadership at FIFA. Change is necessary. Power has blinded the current leadership's ability to distinguish between self-interest and what is best for football,” the former players said.
The group also includes former Peru striker Claudio Pizarro, ex-Argentina international Juan Sebastian Veron, former Togo captain Emmanuel Adebayor, and FIFA legends Didier Drogba and David James. They called on all stakeholders to step forward to help shape the future of the sport, demanding structural change that gives players and fans a real, direct voice in how football is governed.
Infantino is set to stand for re-election next year, but regional football powers are discussing the possibility of a no-confidence vote against him before the election, according to senior sources familiar with the discussions who spoke to Reuters last week.
