Eric Cantona has joined up with Juan Mata’s Common Goal charity, which asks the football industry to donate one per cent of their income to good causes.
The Manchester United legend will take on a mentoring role with the initiative, in attempt of inspiring more players, officials and clubs to follow suit.
READ MORE: (Watch) Footage emerges of Man Utd youngster producing amazing Ronaldo-like skill before hitting crossbar
Cantona has become the first high-profile former footballer to join forces wth Common Goal. It also includes current footballers such as Mata, Juventus’ Giorgio Chiellini and Bayern Munich’s Mats Hummels, who all pledge one per cent of their salaries.
“Poor neighbourhoods need football as much as football needs poor neighbourhoods,” Cantona said, announcing his involvement in an interview with The Players’ Tribune.
“We need to support a more sustainable, positive and inclusive football, and I will do anything that I can to help. That is why I am joining the Common Goal movement as their first mentor.
“Common Goal’s mission is to unlock 1 per cent of the entire football industry’s revenues for grassroots football charities, and more than 60 footballers have already pledged 1 per cent of their salaries.
“The beautiful thing is that they are players from big clubs, players from small clubs, men and women, from leagues all over the world.
“Football needs to be for the people. Common Goal does not have to be a utopian idea. There is no reason why the major actors in the game today cannot come together and support the social aspect of football.”
Common Goal was launched last year by Mata in conjunction with non-government organisation Streetfootballworld, raising approximately £605,000 for good causes since.
“Football should be for the people. There is no reason why the major actors in the game today cannot come together and support the social aspect of football.” Former @ManUtd legend Eric Cantona is joining Common Goal. Read his story on @tpt_global: https://t.co/q4n4R10IaR pic.twitter.com/BMSkj7drOq
— Common Goal (@CommonGoalOrg) October 12, 2018
