Post by Deleted on Jan 20, 2012 21:44:27 GMT
It briefly looked like the man revered by Manchester United fans as King Eric might also be aiming for the title of President.
But reports that Eric Cantona was planning to challenge Nicolas Sarkozy for France’s highest office were yesterday revealed to be a stunt to highlight the work of a homeless charity.
The former footballer, 45, now an actor, announced on Monday that he had written to mayors seeking their backing to run for the French presidency in May.
He would have needed to secure the backing of 500 elected officials by the end of February.
In his letter he pledged to stand up for 'the millions of families who have been forgotten' and condemned the lack of opportunities for young people.
But visitors to his website yesterday were redirected to a charity’s petition to improve housing for the poorest people in France.
His website - ericantona.fr - was re-routed directly to a charity's petition to improve housing for the poorest people in France.
Homeless campaigners the Abbé Pierre Foundation said the device had already brought them an extra 100,000 signatures for their cause.
As well as becoming an Old Trafford legend, Cantona also achieved notoriety when he launched a ‘kung fu’ kick on a Crystal Palace fan during a match in 1995. Later, he told reporters, enigmatically: ‘When the seagulls follow the trawler, it’s because they think sardines will be thrown into the sea. Thank you very much.’
Spokesman Patrick Doutreligne said: 'We needed a high profile figure like Eric Cantona to bring attention to our campaign.
'The sudden show of public support shows that housing an homelessness in a nationwide problem that merits more attention in the presidential campaign.'
But reports that Eric Cantona was planning to challenge Nicolas Sarkozy for France’s highest office were yesterday revealed to be a stunt to highlight the work of a homeless charity.
The former footballer, 45, now an actor, announced on Monday that he had written to mayors seeking their backing to run for the French presidency in May.
He would have needed to secure the backing of 500 elected officials by the end of February.
In his letter he pledged to stand up for 'the millions of families who have been forgotten' and condemned the lack of opportunities for young people.
But visitors to his website yesterday were redirected to a charity’s petition to improve housing for the poorest people in France.
His website - ericantona.fr - was re-routed directly to a charity's petition to improve housing for the poorest people in France.
Homeless campaigners the Abbé Pierre Foundation said the device had already brought them an extra 100,000 signatures for their cause.
As well as becoming an Old Trafford legend, Cantona also achieved notoriety when he launched a ‘kung fu’ kick on a Crystal Palace fan during a match in 1995. Later, he told reporters, enigmatically: ‘When the seagulls follow the trawler, it’s because they think sardines will be thrown into the sea. Thank you very much.’
Spokesman Patrick Doutreligne said: 'We needed a high profile figure like Eric Cantona to bring attention to our campaign.
'The sudden show of public support shows that housing an homelessness in a nationwide problem that merits more attention in the presidential campaign.'
What a man, what a hero.