Former Manchester United and French international footballer Eric Cantona is reportedly seeking a nomination to run for the Presidency of France.
A report carried by the left-wing daily newspaper Libération suggests Cantona has written to the country’s mayors – of which there are about 36,000 – seeking their nomination to run in the election, to be held on April 22.
The letter, published in full by Libération, detail how Cantona wants to “carry a simple but clear message – a message of truth but of respect, a powerful message of solidarity”. He is not entirely apolitical, however – his website currently hosts a petition for better housing conditions, and he made headlines in December 2010 when he called on the French public to hold a co-ordinated run on the country’s banks.
Cantona scored 64 times in 144 appearances during his five years at Manchester United, having previously played for Leeds United. He also scored 20 times in 45 appearances for the French national team, which he had captained before serving an eight-month suspension for assaulting a Crystal Palace fan at a United game in January 1995. He never again played for les bleus after his suspension.