Eto’o reaffirms his support for Infantino and asks to resume the privatization of the World Cup

The former footballer and current president of the Cameroonian Football Federation, Samuel Eto’oassured this Monday that maintains its support for FIFA president Gianni Infantinoand asked him to put the possible privatization of the World Cup back on the table so that it could be voted on by the associations.

“President Gianni Infantino will continue to enjoy my support and the support of my federation,” said the former Mallorca or Barcelona forward, among other teams, in an interview with the American network CNN.

Eto’o highlighted Infantino as a figure “who has changed football” and “has given opportunities to nations that did not have them to participate in the most beautiful of competitions, the World Cup”, and expressed that his proposal to privatize the competition was “very good for African nations.”

However, he regretted that Infantino backed down on the project due to “organized media coverage” opposed to his idea, which is why he warned that his federation will present a motion to FIFA for it to be re-examined.

“He made a proposal. The 211 members were supposed to sit down, debate the issue and let the majority win. But “I am convinced that the voices that were raised are not the voices of the majority.”said Eto’o. He added: “It would have readjusted the balance of power in football to ensure that our talent does not disappear and end up playing for other nations,” he concluded.

The Confederation of African Football (CAF) had been favorable to Infantino’s proposal to privatize the World Cup, which contrasts with the strong opposition it aroused among the UEFA federations.

The failure of the proposal was a new blow for Infantino, whose image had been weakened by his management of the last World Cup.

The Swiss-Italian leader is the only candidate for the presidency of FIFA, which will be decided early next year, but several European football federations, such as those of Wales, England, Scotland, the Republic of Ireland and Denmark, have already withdrawn their support. The deadline for submitting candidatures for the FIFA presidency is November 18.