Manchester United's Eric Cantona controls the ball during the FA Cup final against Liverpool at Wembley in May 1996. Now he is entering the political arena to highlight the issue of bad housing.
From sports pitch to political arena —
Manchester United's Eric Cantona controls the ball during the FA Cup final against Liverpool at Wembley in May 1996. Now he is entering the political arena to highlight the issue of bad housing.
Austrian bodybuilder and future Californian governor Arnold Schwarzenegger pretends to drink from his trophy while wearing its lid as a crown after winning the Mr. Universe contest in London, England, in September 1967.
From sports pitch to political arena —
Austrian bodybuilder and future Californian governor Arnold Schwarzenegger pretends to drink from his trophy while wearing its lid as a crown after winning the Mr. Universe contest in London, England, in September 1967.
One-time Minnesota governor, former professional wrestler and guest referee Jesse Ventura, center, watches the action during the World Wrestling Federation SummerSlam in 1999 in Minneapolis.
From sports pitch to political arena —
One-time Minnesota governor, former professional wrestler and guest referee Jesse Ventura, center, watches the action during the World Wrestling Federation SummerSlam in 1999 in Minneapolis.
Kevin Johnson of the Phoenix Suns plays in an NBA game in 1989. In 2008 he became mayor of Sacramento, California.
From sports pitch to political arena —
Kevin Johnson of the Phoenix Suns plays in an NBA game in 1989. In 2008 he became mayor of Sacramento, California.
Portland Trail Blazers' Chris Dudley, right, blocks New York Knicks' Patrick Ewing at Madison Square Garden in 1995. In 2010, Dudley was defeated as Republican candidate to be governor of Oregon.
From sports pitch to political arena —
Portland Trail Blazers' Chris Dudley, right, blocks New York Knicks' Patrick Ewing at Madison Square Garden in 1995. In 2010, Dudley was defeated as Republican candidate to be governor of Oregon.
Menzies Campbell, later to become leader of Britain's Liberal Democrat Party, wins the 220 yards final in a time of 21.1 seconds at the AAA Championships at White City, 11th July 1964.
From sports pitch to political arena —
Menzies Campbell, later to become leader of Britain's Liberal Democrat Party, wins the 220 yards final in a time of 21.1 seconds at the AAA Championships at White City, 11th July 1964.
Jeffrey Archer, pictured in Oxford 1966, represented England as a sprinter and hurdler. Three years later he became a Conservative Member of Parliament, and later a best-selling novelist.
From sports pitch to political arena —
Jeffrey Archer, pictured in Oxford 1966, represented England as a sprinter and hurdler. Three years later he became a Conservative Member of Parliament, and later a best-selling novelist.
Sebastian Coe holds up the Union Flag after winning the Olympic 1500m gold medal in the 1984 Los Angeles Olympics. The two-time gold medallist later became a Conservative lawmaker in Britain and is now in charge of organizing the 2012 London Olympic Games.
From sports pitch to political arena —
Sebastian Coe holds up the Union Flag after winning the Olympic 1500m gold medal in the 1984 Los Angeles Olympics. The two-time gold medallist later became a Conservative lawmaker in Britain and is now in charge of organizing the 2012 London Olympic Games.
Pakistani cricketer Imran Khan bats during a one-day international against England in the mid-1980s. Imran is now campaigning to be his country's next prime minister.
From sports pitch to political arena —
Pakistani cricketer Imran Khan bats during a one-day international against England in the mid-1980s. Imran is now campaigning to be his country's next prime minister.
George Weah of Liberia plays during the African Cup of Nations match against Gabon in Durban in 1996. He ran unsuccessfully for president in 2005 in his country.
From sports pitch to political arena —
George Weah of Liberia plays during the African Cup of Nations match against Gabon in Durban in 1996. He ran unsuccessfully for president in 2005 in his country.
Romario of Brazil plays against the USSR during the 1988 Seoul Olympics. He later ran for mayor in his home country.
politicians romario —
Romario of Brazil plays against the USSR during the 1988 Seoul Olympics. He later ran for mayor in his home country.
Newly elected Russian lawmaker and former tennis star Marat Safin, center, gestures as he speaks in the Kremlin in December 2011.
From sports pitch to political arena —
Newly elected Russian lawmaker and former tennis star Marat Safin, center, gestures as he speaks in the Kremlin in December 2011.
Manny Pacquiao (right) retained his WBO world welterweight title against Juan Manuel Marquez in Las Vegas, Nevada in November 2011. In May 2010, he was elected as a Sarangani representative in the Filipino Congress.
From sports pitch to political arena —
Manny Pacquiao (right) retained his WBO world welterweight title against Juan Manuel Marquez in Las Vegas, Nevada in November 2011. In May 2010, he was elected as a Sarangani representative in the Filipino Congress.
Chistine Lagarde was a member of the French national synchronized swimming team as a teenager. Last year she became head of the International Monetary Fund after serving as French finance minister.
From sports pitch to political arena —
Chistine Lagarde was a member of the French national synchronized swimming team as a teenager. Last year she became head of the International Monetary Fund after serving as French finance minister.
From sports pitch to political arena

Story highlights

Former footballer Eric Cantona says he wants to run for French presidency

Cantona has written to mayors to obtain 500 signatures needed to stand

Bid interpreted as way of publicizing housing issue, rather than real campaign

Many sports stars have made move into politics, eg. Imran Khan, Christine Lagarde

CNN  — 

Former Manchester United footballer Eric Cantona said Tuesday he wanted to campaign for the French presidency – but commentators said the announcement was a publicity stunt to turn the spotlight on the plight of poor people.

Cantona has written to French mayors to obtain the 500 signatures needed to stand in April’s election, Liberation newspaper reported. The 45-year-old told them he was “a citizen very much aware of our times,” and would stand up for the young and poorly housed.

But the bid was interpreted by Liberation as a way of publicizing his cause of better housing, rather than a genuine presidential campaign. Nicolas Sarkozy of the UMP party is bidding for re-election in April against Socialist rival Francois Hollande.

See high-res images of other sports stars-turned-politicians

Cantona’s move is just the latest in a varied career by the Frenchman. Since leaving Old Trafford in 1997 where he was known as “King Eric” for his goal-scoring prowess, Cantona has turned to acting, most notably in director Ken Loach’s “Looking For Eric.”

And in 2010 Cantona urged bank customers to withdraw all their money from French banks. The call prompted widespread condemnation by politicians, and few people took out their cash.

Finance Minister Francois Baroin, who is also a mayor, dismissed his latest move, adding that he preferred “the Cantona who looks after housing to the Cantona who told the French to withdraw their money from the banks in order to cause a disaster.”

Cantona gained notoriety in 1995 when he launched a flying kick and several punches at a fan as he was sent off during a match. After the game, he told journalists: “When the seagulls follow the trawler, it’s because they think sardines will be thrown into the sea.”

Last year Cantona, voted by Manchester United fans as their player of the century, was named as director of football for the newly-reformed New York Cosmos.

Many other sports stars have made the move into politics. Former Pakistani cricket captain Imran Khan’s party is campaigning in elections, while International Monetary Fund boss, and former French finance minister Christine Lagarde was once a member of the French teenage national synchronized swimming team.