Cantona in support

Eric Cantona has confirmed he will attend Diego Maradona's meeting in Paris on Monday that will attempt to form a world players' union.

Manchester United's French striker, a long-time admirer of the former World Cup-winning captain, said in a statement yesterday: "Of course I will be with Diego Maradona on September 18 in Paris, certainly along with other players. And even if he only has one ally on that day, it will be me."

Maradona has also invited Chelsea's Dutchman, Ruud Gullit, and Brazil's Bebeto to the Paris meeting, but it is not known whether they will attend.

The Argentinian has said a players' union would break the monopoly that the world governing body, Fifa, has on the game. He also claims that Fifa has betrayed the game by failing to use its funds to build stadiums or to help developing football nations.

Both Cantona and Maradona - now back with his first club, Boca Juniors - will return to action shortly after lengthy suspensions, in the case of Maradona after failing drug tests.