Invited to our RFI colleagues, Samuel Eto'o did not mince words to curb the plan of Gianni Infantino, president of Fifa, to organize the African Cup of Nations every four years, instead of the rhythm current biennial.
"Is it the interest of Africans to organize a CAN every four years? I think it is rather that of Europeans. They want to have available Mohamed Salah, Sadio Mané or Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang", estimates Samuel Eto'o in the program "Le debate africaine". "Fifa defends the interest of European clubs", insists the former international.
"There is a win-win partnership between Fifa and CAF. I am close to Gianni Infantino and Ahmad. But I think Gianni Infantino lacked tact," said the African football star.
Multiply revenues by dividing the number of CANs
On February 1 in Rabat, Morocco, Gianni Infantino presented several measures to increase the competitiveness of African football, at the conclusion of the six-month "mission" to supervise the functioning of the African Football Confederation (CAF). With as main proposal, the organization of the African Cup of Nations "every four years" instead of two currently.
The possible shortfall would be compensated by a better exposure, explained Gianni Infantino to the leaders of African football: "If we work together, we will not only double the revenues of the CAN but we will multiply them by 4 or by 6 by presenting a product not only to Africa but to the world ".
The next African Cup of Nations (CAN) football in Cameroon in 2021. On this occasion, it will be played at its traditional time of the year, winter, after a change for summer during CAN- 2019 in Egypt.
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