Cameroon Football Federation president and former international star Samuel Eto has defended FIFA President Gianni Infantino amid growing criticism of his leadership, insisting that the FIFA chief has done nothing wrong.
Eto’o made the comments in an interview with CNN, attributing the criticism surrounding Infantino largely to the approaching FIFA presidential election.
“I don’t think that President Gianni Infantino has done anything wrong,” Eto’o said.
According to the former Cameroon captain, the heightened scrutiny of Infantino is largely politically motivated.
“All of this is happening because there is an election coming up. That’s all there is,” he said.
Infantino has faced criticism over several aspects of his leadership, including controversy surrounding the proposed FIFA Forward Enterprise, an initiative designed to attract private investment around the governing body’s commercial and media rights.
The proposal encountered opposition from several football organisations before it was eventually withdrawn.
Despite the controversy, Eto’o praised Infantino’s record, particularly his efforts to expand opportunities for smaller football nations and increase support for football development in Africa.
“President Gianni Infantino has changed football,” Eto’o said, arguing that several of the FIFA president’s initiatives could continue to benefit African football associations.
Eto’o’s intervention comes as Infantino faces increasing scrutiny ahead of the 2027 FIFA presidential election, with the former Cameroon captain emerging as a prominent African voice in support of the incumbent FIFA president.
