Eric Cantona presidential bid 'is a publicity stunt'

Eric Cantona's reported plans to stand for the presidency of France have been revealed as a publicity stunt.

The ex-footballer and actor was rumoured to be challenging Nicolas Sarkozy for the job, but the claims were intended to raise awareness of the French housing crisis, The Guardian reports.

Paul Quinio, the deputy editor of Libération, told I-Tele: "He isn't looking for signatures to be a candidate for the presidency, but to pass on the message of the Abbé Pierre Foundation in support of better housing policy, and to make housing, which is a priority for French people, a priority for the presidential candidates."

Last year, Cantona had urged consumers to withdraw their money en mass from French banks to see the institutions collapse for "a real revolution".

'7 Seconds' singer Youssou N'Dour last week launched a bid to become president of Senegal, while Fugees musician Wyclef Jean considered running for the Haitian presidency following last year's earthquake.

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Watch the infamous Eric Cantona press conference, given after he kicked a fan, below: