Samuel Eto’o urges FIFA to reopen World Cup revenue proposal after Infantino criticism

Samuel Eto’o has defended Gianni Infantino amid the controversy surrounding a proposed FIFA plan to sell stakes in the World Cup, saying the FIFA president “did nothing wrong” and that the issue is being used to weaken his position before the next presidential election.

Infantino faced intense pressure after presenting a proposal under which parts of the World Cup’s revenues would be sold, with some of the proceeds intended to go to smaller FIFA member associations.

The plan was withdrawn following widespread opposition, but the dispute has left football deeply divided over Infantino’s leadership and the way the proposal was handled. Eto’o, president of the Cameroon Football Federation, remains firmly supportive of the Swiss official.

“I don’t think that president Gianni Infantino did anything wrong,” Eto’o told CNN.

The former striker believes the timing of the backlash is connected to Infantino’s intention to stand in the forthcoming election.

“I think the timing of all this is linked to the upcoming elections, in which Infantino is standing. That’s all,” he said.

Eto’o said Infantino had proposed allowing FIFA’s members to consider the plan collectively and decide through a majority vote. He argued that the public criticism currently being directed at it did not necessarily reflect the view of most members.

“He made a proposal: all FIFA members would meet, discuss the issue and let the majority decide. But I am convinced that the voices currently being raised on this matter are not those of the majority,” said Eto’o.

The Cameroon Football Federation president also criticised the speed with which the proposal was dismissed. In his view, FIFA members should have been given more opportunity to assess its potential benefits before it was abandoned.

“A debate was necessary. We should have discussed its relevance. I would like all my colleagues, all the commission presidents, to read the plan again,” he said.

Eto’o suggested the proposal could be brought back for consideration after Infantino is re-elected, claiming it would pass if members were allowed to vote freely.

“After the re-election of President Infantino, we will have the strength to ask whether this project can be put back on the agenda. If a democratic vote takes place, this project will be adopted, because it is in the interest of the majority,” he said.

Eto’o also praised Infantino’s wider influence on the game, particularly his impact on international football and development in Africa.

Infantino has overseen the expansion of the World Cup to include more teams, although the source article describes his contribution in broader terms as giving countries that previously lacked the opportunity access to football’s most prestigious competition.

“He has offered countries that previously did not have the opportunity to take part in the most prestigious competition, the World Cup. He has helped our continent, Africa. He has enabled our football federations to develop much faster. We must support him for everything he has achieved so far,” Eto’o said.

Eto’o, who previously played for Barcelona and Inter Milan, believes Infantino’s record should be considered alongside the criticism surrounding the proposed World Cup revenue arrangement.