January 8 – Former Barcelona, Inter Milan and Chelsea star Samuel Eto’o says black coaches are seen as “second-class citizens” around the world and don’t get the trust they deserve.
The Cameroonian striker, now 37, made his remarks in an interview with Canal+ when discussing whether he would go into coaching following an illustrious playing career.
“Many black former players don’t get the coaching license, but there are also many who do have this,” he said. “There is a lack of trust. That trust doesn’t exist, and we are seen as second-class citizens.”
Eto’o is still active having signed a one-year contract last August to play for Qatar Sports Club and is among those leading the fight against racism in football.
In recent months there have been several high-profile cases of involving the likes of Kalidou Koulibaly, Raheem Sterling and Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang.
Eto’o, who has also played in Italy and Turkey, has frequently suffered racist abuse himself and is due to star in a French documentary, due to be released later this month, along with former Arsenal skipper Patrick Vieira and Mario Balotelli.
The short film is titled ‘I am not a monkey’ with all three discussing their individual experiences of racism during their professional football careers.
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