Cameroon football legend and FECAFOOT president Samuel Eto’o has thrown his weight behind Gianni Infantino’s bid to remain FIFA president, dismissing criticism surrounding the Swiss administrator’s leadership.
Eto’o said Infantino had not done anything wrong and argued that some of the criticism against the FIFA president was linked to the approaching election.
Speaking to CNN Sports, the former Barcelona and Inter Milan striker said, “I don’t think that President Gianni Infantino has done anything wrong.”
He added, “I think the timing of all of that is because there’s an election coming out.”
Eto’o also praised Infantino for what he described as significant changes to world football, particularly the expansion of the FIFA World Cup and increased opportunities for smaller football nations.
“President Gianni Infantino has changed football. He’s given opportunities to nations that didn’t have those opportunities to take part in the most beautiful tournament, the World Cup,” Eto’o said.
The former Cameroon captain further highlighted what he believes has been Infantino’s positive impact on African football, saying FIFA’s support had helped national football associations across the continent develop faster.
“He has helped our continent. He’s helped our federations to develop much more quickly. We need to acknowledge that.
“We need to accept and recognise what he’s done, and we should support him for everything he’s done up to now,” he added.
Infantino’s leadership has, however, come under increasing scrutiny, with several football organisations raising concerns over some of FIFA’s recent decisions.
Despite the criticism, the FIFA president continues to receive considerable backing from African football, with the Confederation of African Football already supporting his re-election bid.
Eto’o’s comments add to the growing support for Infantino ahead of the FIFA presidential election.
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