Eto'o defends FIFA President Infantino, citing election timing for criticism
Translated from Danish, summarized and contextualized by DistantNews.
At a glance
- Cameroonian football legend Samuel Eto'o defended FIFA President Gianni Infantino against criticism.
- Eto'o believes Infantino has done nothing wrong and suggests the timing of accusations is linked to upcoming FIFA elections.
- Infantino faces pressure to resign over a now-scrapped plan to sell stakes in FIFA tournaments, but Eto'o and the Confederation of African Football (CAF) support him.
Cameroonian football icon Samuel Eto'o has publicly defended FIFA President Gianni Infantino, asserting that the current head of world football has committed no wrongdoing. Eto'o suggested that the recent scrutiny surrounding Infantino is politically motivated, tied to the upcoming FIFA presidential elections.
"I don't think President Gianni Infantino has done anything wrong," Eto'o stated in an interview with CNN Sports. "I think the timing of it all is because there are elections soon, where Gianni Infantino is running. That's all there is to it."
Infantino has been under increasing pressure to step down following a now-abandoned proposal to sell stakes in major FIFA tournaments, including the World Cup, to private investors. He has been elected unopposed in 2019 and 2023 and is expected to seek a third term in the upcoming March election.
While several regional football confederations, including UEFA, AFC, and CONCACAF, are reportedly considering a vote of no confidence, the Confederation of African Football (CAF) remains a staunch supporter of Infantino. CAF President Patrice Motsepe previously stated that Infantino's future should be decided at the ballot box. As of now, no opposing candidates have emerged for the next FIFA presidential election.
I don't think President Gianni Infantino has done anything wrong. I think the timing of it all is because there are elections soon, where Gianni Infantino is running. That's all there is to it.
Originally published by Berlingske in Danish. Translated, summarized, and contextualized by our editorial team with added local perspective. Read our editorial standards.