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One of Africa's greatest football legends supports Infantino: 'He changed football and gave small nations a chance'
๐Ÿ‡ญ๐Ÿ‡ท Croatia /Sports

One of Africa's greatest football legends supports Infantino: 'He changed football and gave small nations a chance'

From Veฤernji List · () Croatian

Translated from Croatian, summarized and contextualized by DistantNews.

At a glance

News Named sources Context piece
  • Samuel Eto'o, president of the Cameroonian Football Federation, publicly defended FIFA President Gianni Infantino against criticism.
  • Eto'o stated that Infantino has significantly helped African football and given smaller nations a chance at the World Cup.
  • He believes Infantino has changed football and supports his initiatives, contrasting with calls for resignation from other confederations.

African football legend Samuel Eto'o has publicly thrown his support behind FIFA President Gianni Infantino, who faces increasing pressure and calls for resignation. Eto'o, who also heads the Cameroonian Football Federation and is a prominent figure in African football, stated that Infantino has been instrumental in the development of the continent's football associations.

Mr. Infantino has helped our continent. He has helped our federations to develop much faster, and we must recognize that.

โ€” Samuel Eto'oPraising Infantino's impact on African football.

"Mr. Infantino has helped our continent. He has helped our federations to develop much faster, and we must recognize that," Eto'o told CNN. The former Barcelona and Inter Milan striker added that Infantino "changed football" and "gave small nations a chance to participate in the most prestigious tournament, the World Cup."

We should support him for all that he has achieved so far. President Gianni Infantino has changed football. He gave small nations a chance to participate in the most prestigious tournament, the World Cup.

โ€” Samuel Eto'oHighlighting Infantino's contributions to global football.

Infantino has faced criticism following a failed attempt to sell stakes in lucrative FIFA competitions to private investors. However, Eto'o sees no wrongdoing in Infantino's actions. "I do not think President Gianni Infantino has done anything wrong," the former Cameroonian forward remarked regarding the heavily criticized, and ultimately abandoned, project.

I do not think President Gianni Infantino has done anything wrong.

โ€” Samuel Eto'oDefending Infantino against criticism.

While European (UEFA), Asian (AFC), and North American (CONCACAF) confederations have called for Infantino's resignation, the African Confederation (CAF) has unanimously backed him. Eto'o suggested that the current scrutiny is linked to the upcoming presidential elections in March 2027, where Infantino is currently the sole declared candidate. Eto'o also expressed support for Infantino's idea of selling stakes to private investors, believing it benefits smaller nations.

All this happened because the elections are approaching.

โ€” Samuel Eto'oSuggesting the timing of criticism is politically motivated.
DistantNews Editorial

Originally published by Veฤernji List in Croatian. Translated, summarized, and contextualized by our editorial team with added local perspective. Read our editorial standards.

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