Samuel Eto’o Defends Gianni Infantino’s FIFA Investment Plan: “Proposal is Very Good for African Nations”

Former Barcelona, Inter Milan and Chelsea striker Samuel Eto’o has defended FIFA president Gianni Infantino’s proposed investment plan, describing it as a project that could have major benefits for African football.

Eto’o, who currently serves as president of the Cameroonian Football Federation, believes the FIFA Forward Enterprise proposal could help African nations compete more effectively with the world’s leading football countries.

Speaking to CNN, the former Cameroon international said he does not believe Infantino did anything wrong by pursuing the proposal.

“I don’t think that President Gianni Infantino has done anything wrong,” the former Barcelona, Inter Milan and Chelsea striker told CNN.

“I think the timing of all of that is because there’s an election com

Infantino has faced significant criticism following the collapse of plans to secure private investment in FIFA competitions and commercial operations, including the World Cup. Several confederations have reportedly expressed concerns about the proposal.

Despite the opposition, Eto’o believes the investment plan could have been particularly valuable for African football by helping countries develop and retain their best players.

"[The proposal] is even very good for the African nations, because it would allow us -- should allow us if it went all the way through -- to truly compete with the big nations," he said.

"I remain convinced that for us as Africans, this project was something that could have been incredible. It would have reset the balance of power in football to ensure that our talent doesn't disappear and end up playing for other nations."