Post by Macmoish on Jan 10, 2012 9:06:27 GMT
BBC
Eric Cantona wants to be the next president of France
Eric Cantona made 144 appearances for Manchester United scoring 64 goals
Former Manchester United striker Eric Cantona has revealed he wants to be the next president of France.
The 45-year-old is hoping to run in this year's presidential election and is currently trying to gather the 500 signatures needed.
He needs them by the end of February and has sent a letter to French mayors asking for their support.
In the letter, Cantona denounces the limited opportunities for young people in France.
The letter, which was printed in the newspaper Liberation, said: "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."
CANTONA'S COLOURFUL CAREER
Continue reading the main story
1983 Joined Auxerre
1988 Signed for Marseille
1991 Moved to Nimes
1992 Joined Leeds United and won the league title
1992 Moved to Old Trafford for £1.2m
Scored 64 goals for Manchester United and won the Premier League in 1993, 1994, 1996 and 1997
He also described the social injustices faced by French youngsters as "too numerous, too violent and too systematic".
Candidates who get the required number of signatures will compete in a first round in late April, with the two biggest vote-winners going through to a decisive second round in early May.
Despite Cantona's fame, he faces a difficult task to get through the first stage without the backing of a party.
It is not the first time the Frenchman has made the headlines for his political comments.
In 2010 he called on people to empty their bank accounts in protest at the global financial crisis.
Since retiring from football, Cantona, who scored 64 goals in 144 games for Manchester United and helped them secure their first Premier League title in 1993, has starred in several films including Ken Loach's Palme D'or-nominated Looking for Eric.
He returned to the game in January last year when he was named director of soccer at New York Cosmos.
newsvote.bbc.co.uk/sport2/hi/football/16479880.stm
Eric Cantona wants to be the next president of France
Eric Cantona made 144 appearances for Manchester United scoring 64 goals
Former Manchester United striker Eric Cantona has revealed he wants to be the next president of France.
The 45-year-old is hoping to run in this year's presidential election and is currently trying to gather the 500 signatures needed.
He needs them by the end of February and has sent a letter to French mayors asking for their support.
In the letter, Cantona denounces the limited opportunities for young people in France.
The letter, which was printed in the newspaper Liberation, said: "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."
CANTONA'S COLOURFUL CAREER
Continue reading the main story
1983 Joined Auxerre
1988 Signed for Marseille
1991 Moved to Nimes
1992 Joined Leeds United and won the league title
1992 Moved to Old Trafford for £1.2m
Scored 64 goals for Manchester United and won the Premier League in 1993, 1994, 1996 and 1997
He also described the social injustices faced by French youngsters as "too numerous, too violent and too systematic".
Candidates who get the required number of signatures will compete in a first round in late April, with the two biggest vote-winners going through to a decisive second round in early May.
Despite Cantona's fame, he faces a difficult task to get through the first stage without the backing of a party.
It is not the first time the Frenchman has made the headlines for his political comments.
In 2010 he called on people to empty their bank accounts in protest at the global financial crisis.
Since retiring from football, Cantona, who scored 64 goals in 144 games for Manchester United and helped them secure their first Premier League title in 1993, has starred in several films including Ken Loach's Palme D'or-nominated Looking for Eric.
He returned to the game in January last year when he was named director of soccer at New York Cosmos.
newsvote.bbc.co.uk/sport2/hi/football/16479880.stm