When sports stars turn to politics

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Richard Martin

Thursday 12 January 2012

When Eric Cantona announced earlier this week that he was gathering signatures to run for President of France, the world braced itself for a potential clash between incumbent Nicolas Sarkozy and the Manchester United legend.

It then emerged that it was a publicity stunt to raise awareness for the housing charity Abbé Pierre Foundation, and that unfortunately, the man Manchester United fans still call Eric the King had no intention of being Eric the President.

Here are ten former athletes that did try their hand at public life.

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