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FIFA: Samuel Eto’o Backs Gianni Infantino For Re-Election

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51 seconds ago

August 25, 2026

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Cameroon football legend Samuel Eto’o has publicly defended FIFA president Gianni Infantino, insisting the Swiss administrator has “not done anything wrong” and deserves another term at the helm of world football.

The former Barcelona, Inter Milan and Chelsea striker believes Infantino’s leadership has transformed global football, particularly by creating more opportunities for smaller nations and boosting football development across Africa.

Speaking to CNN Sports, Eto’o argued that the recent scrutiny surrounding Infantino should be viewed in the context of the upcoming election rather than as a reflection of his leadership.

“He has not done anything wrong”

Eto’o made his position unmistakably clear when asked about the criticism directed at the FIFA president.

“I don’t think that President Gianni Infantino has done anything wrong,” Eto’o said.

The FECAFOOT president suggested that the timing of the criticism is closely linked to FIFA’s electoral cycle.

The four-time African Player of the Year credited Infantino with reshaping international football by expanding access to major tournaments.

Eto’o pointed to the FIFA World Cup’s expansion as one of the Swiss official’s most significant achievements.

He said, “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. He enabled smaller nations to get seats at these competitions.”

Beyond the expanded World Cup, Eto’o believes African football has been one of the biggest beneficiaries of Infantino’s presidency.

The former Cameroon captain praised FIFA’s support for national associations across the continent.

He added, “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.”

Infantino’s presidency has faced criticism from several football organisations, including UEFA, CONCACAF, and the Asian Football Confederation, particularly after a controversial proposal involving private investment in FIFA tournaments was eventually abandoned.

Despite that opposition, the FIFA president continues to enjoy strong backing from much of African football.

The Confederation of African Football (CAF) has already declared its support for Infantino’s re-election campaign, giving him a significant bloc of votes ahead of the next presidential contest.

Related Topics:FIFA: Samuel Eto'o Backs Gianni Infantino For Re-Election

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Maradona’s ‘Hand of God’ Ball Sold For £2.5m

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24 hours ago

August 24, 2026

thecolumnng

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The football with which Diego Maradona scored his famous ‘hand of God’ goal at the 1986 World Cup has sold at auction for £2.5m

The ‘Hand of God’ football was previously sold in 2022

Maradona famously punched the ball past goalkeeper Peter Shilton in Argentina’s 2-1 quarter-final win over England.

After the game, he told reporters it had been scored “a little with the head of Maradona and a little with the hand of God”.

Maradona later scored what became known as the ‘goal of the century’ in the same game, dribbling past five England outfield players before slotting the ball past Shilton.

Though it sold for $3.3m (£2.5m) at Heritage Auctions in the United States on Saturday, the ball had been expected to fetch nearer $10m (£7.3m).

Speaking to Reuters before the auction, Mike Provenzale, a specialist auctioneer at Heritage, said: “It’s a true one-of-one item. Arguably the most significant soccer item that exists.”

Tunisian Ali Bin Nasser, who refereed the match in 1986, collected the Adidas Azteca ball at full-time and kept it for more than three decades.

In 2023, he signed a letter to confirm it was the only ball used during the match, which has also been confirmed by further independent authentication.

Bin Nasser sold the ball in 2022 for $2.37m (£1.74m). Its new owner again put it up for auction in 2023 though it did not sell as bids did not meet the minimum value set.

The shirt worn by Maradona during the same match sold for £7.1m at auction in 2022.

Sports

Messi Fined For Undisclosed Amount For Slapping Opponent

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3 days ago

August 22, 2026

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According to MLS Disciplinary Committee official announcement, Inter Miami captain Lionel Messi has been fined for his confrontational conduct with an opponent during a match.

Official MLS Announcement

The MLS Disciplinary Committee has issued an undisclosed fine to Inter Miami forward Lionel Messi for violating the league’s policy regarding placing a hand on an opponent’s face/head/neck in and after the 101st minute of Inter Miami’s match against the Philadelphia Union on August 19. (End of announcement)

The incident mentioned in the announcement occurred near the center circle in the second half, away from the ball, when Messi and Philadelphia Union midfielder Quinn Sullivan became involved in a heated verbal exchange. Video footage showed Messi making a short swinging motion and striking Sullivan on the head, after which the referee intervened to separate the two players.

At the moment the physical contact occurred, referee Philipp Dujic had his back to the incident, so he did not show a yellow or red card at the time, and the game was allowed to continue without interruption.

The MLS Disciplinary Committee reviewed the relevant footage on Friday and ultimately decided to issue Messi an undisclosed fine rather than impose an additional suspension, meaning he remains eligible to play for Inter Miami in their upcoming matches.