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Samuel Eto'o backs Gianni Infantino: 'I don't think he did anything wrong'

From El Nacional · () Spanish

Translated from Spanish, summarized and contextualized by DistantNews.

At a glance

News Named sources Context piece
  • Cameroonian Football Federation President Samuel Eto'o supports FIFA President Gianni Infantino, dismissing criticism.
  • Eto'o believes Infantino's actions are driven by upcoming FIFA elections in 2027.
  • He credits Infantino with developing football globally and giving opportunities to previously overlooked nations.

Samuel Eto'o, the president of the Cameroonian Football Federation and a renowned former player, has publicly backed FIFA President Gianni Infantino, asserting that Infantino has done nothing wrong. Eto'o suggested that the current criticisms and opposition to Infantino's initiatives, such as the FIFA Forward Enterprise project, are politically motivated due to the upcoming FIFA elections scheduled for March 18, 2027.

I don’t think that President Gianni Infantino has done anything wrong. Everything is happening because of the moment, there is an election that will come soon.

— Samuel Eto'oSpeaking to CNN about the FIFA President's management.

"I don't think he did anything wrong. Everything is happening because of the moment, there is an election that will come soon," Eto'o stated in an interview with CNN. When questioned about Infantino potentially overstepping FIFA's governance boundaries with his commercial ventures, Eto'o emphasized that Infantino's role is to develop football. He explained that Infantino presented a proposal, and it is up to the 211 member associations to deliberate and decide by majority vote. Eto'o expressed confidence that the dissenting voices do not represent the majority opinion.

He made a proposal and the 211 member associations must meet, debate and decide what the majority agrees on. I am convinced that the voices of those who rose up are not the voices of the majority.

— Samuel Eto'oExplaining the decision-making process within FIFA regarding Infantino's proposals.

Several confederations, including UEFA, AFC, and Concacaf, had previously rejected Infantino's commercial initiative and consequently withdrew their support for his presidency. However, Eto'o praised Infantino's leadership, claiming he "changed football" and "gave opportunities to nations that never had them." The FIFA Forward Enterprise project was withdrawn on July 31, just three days after its emergence, following a journalistic investigation by The Times and a lack of expected support.

changed football and gave opportunities to nations that never had them.

— Samuel Eto'oPraising Infantino's impact on the sport.

Eto'o's relationship with Infantino dates back to his presidency of the FCF in 2021. They have met to discuss the positive impact of FIFA Forward programs in Cameroon, and FIFA supported the renovation of the FCF headquarters, which Eto'o called an "invaluable asset." Despite this support, FIFA sanctioned Eto'o in September 2024 with a six-month ban for violating disciplinary codes during the U-20 Women's World Cup. He also faces an ongoing dispute with Cameroon's Ministry of Sports over control of the FCF.

It is an invaluable asset that will allow Cameroonian football to develop much more rapidly.

— Samuel Eto'oDescribing the impact of FIFA's renovation of the FCF headquarters.
DistantNews Editorial

Originally published by El Nacional in Spanish. Translated, summarized, and contextualized by our editorial team with added local perspective. Read our editorial standards.

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