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Cameroon Football Federation president and former football star Samuel Eto’o has come out strongly in support of FIFA President Gianni Infantino, dismissing the growing criticism against the FIFA boss as largely connected to the upcoming presidential election.
Speaking in an exclusive interview with CNN, Eto’o said he did not believe Infantino had done anything wrong and questioned the timing of the criticism surrounding his leadership.
“I don’t think that President Gianni Infantino has done anything wrong,” Eto’o said, arguing that the growing pressure was mainly because another FIFA election was approaching.
Infantino has been facing increased scrutiny over several issues, including the controversial FIFA Forward Enterprise proposal, which was aimed at attracting private investment into FIFA’s commercial and media rights. The plan met resistance from some football organisations and was eventually withdrawn.
Despite the controversy, Eto’o praised Infantino’s record since taking charge of world football. The former Cameroon captain particularly pointed to what he described as Infantino’s efforts to give smaller football nations more opportunities and increase support for African football associations.
“President Gianni Infantino has changed football,” Eto’o said, making it clear that he remains convinced that Infantino’s initiatives could have a lasting impact, particularly on African football.
Eto’o’s intervention comes at a time when pressure on Infantino is building ahead of the 2027 FIFA presidential election. With the contest gradually taking shape, the backing of a high-profile African football figure such as Eto’o adds an interesting dimension to the debate over Infantino’s leadership and his future at the helm of world football.
