Ligue 1 - Cantona presidency bid 'a PR stunt'
Former Manchester United star Eric Cantona's apparent desire to run in this year's presidential election in France was a publicity stunt to raise awareness of the plight of the poor in France.
The former United striker placed an advert in newspaper Liberation asking for signatures from the 500 elected officials he would need to start a bid.
Cantona claimed he had sent a letter to French mayors describing himself as an "engaged citizen" and asking for their support, the left-leaning newspaper said.
But the newspaper's deputy editor Paul Quinio told a French TV channel that it was all a move to publicise the French housing crisis, which affects 10 million people in the country.
"He isn't looking for signatures to be a candidate for the presidency, but to pass on the message of the Abbé Pierre foundation in support of better housing policy, and to make housing, which is a priority for French people, a priority for the presidential candidates," said Quinio.
Cantona's letter had referred to the serious social problems facing France.
"This engagement obliges me to speak, more earnestly than usual, but also with a keen sense of my responsibility, at a time when our country faces difficult choices which will be decisive for its future," said the letter, quoted in Liberation.
In his letter, Cantona also denounced the limited opportunities for young people in France and social injustices which were "too numerous, too violent, too systematic", the newspaper said.
It is not the first time Cantona, who earned large sums as a footballer from sponsorship by brands like L'Oreal and Nike, has tried to draw public attention to social inequality.
In December 2010, he called on French savers to stage a nationwide bank run by withdrawing their money from financial institutions because of their role in triggering the global financial crisis.
Panned by the media as a flop, almost no one in France heeded the much-hyped call.
Comment 38 - 57 of 57
Meet another Tosser
He would be way to heavy to sit on Merkels knee like Sarkoze does with such ease
balotelli may be the prems live in nutter but he'll never top the king lol
if the seagulls follow the a fishing boat they are looking for sardines or pilchards like cantona A NUTTER
Who gives a rats a.rse about the plight of the poor frogs its about time people started caring about the plight of us poor brits, cuntanna you are and always have been a @#$%
Yeah go king Cantona what a legend!
That would be great because if anyone in there parliament object's when he speak's he can jump in the stand's and kick them like he did at Manchester.
Shame it isn't true; I was really looking forward to a kung-fu kick, and how appropriate that would be, on the Chinese Embarrassador for their totalitarian evil unopposed in Tibet (no oil) and their edicts on Republic of China (thats Taiwan to the under-educated - the Yanks won't be coming there either, effing hypocritical capitalist sycophants).....Rant over!
n'importe quoi!
At least Eric Cantona is a man ready to stand up and do something for what he believes in. He'd never have got elected though he has too much integrity to be a politician.
Notice how he is fighting for the French people, his own people and not imported dross. Wish he was British.
Thats a shame - it would have been worth watching him oppose Sarcozeeeeeee. Wonder if Cantona could be persuaded to actually run for President - hope so it would be good someone should try and get him to do it - oh but what would Angela Merkel do if Sarcozeeeeeeee lost. Who cares but it might be good for the dopey eurozone
i think he will end up being number 7 in the race, he will achieve all his goals and he will kick the opposition into touch
Eric would be a fantastic French president.He grew up in humble surroundings & ploughed his own furrow to attain the hights in the professional game.Unfortunately he is far to honest to be considered a real challenge in political circles,but if this brings attension to the plight of the poor in France it will have been worth it,somehow i can't imagine any of the current crop of spoilt primadonnas doing a similar act when they hang up their boots.Eric Cantona..............THE KING!!!
He is a suitable man for the Presidency, I knew him since he was a football player in Man United, I wish him success as the next President for France
Yeah vote for Eric for real you dumb french need a man of the people not a man of the coporations and bankers like sarkozy who licks there boots and steals from the poor.Have you not all had enough of these rich scum lording ver you wake up world stop watchin telly and get out there and start revolutions!!!
Maybe he could talk Shrek Wooney into running for the PM's job...........
one word GOD!!
Fair play Eric. you would be better than the devious crooks that have taken office in the past. political morals are non existent for the self serving crooks around the world.
He could team up with John Prescot, would like to see that political rally when someone heckles. Prescot comes in with the right hook and Cantona finishes the guy witha king-fu kick to the throat. Sacre Blue!!
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