French legend Eric Cantona pledges to 'house and feed' refugee family for two years

New Delhi: French football legend Eric Cantona has said that he will house and feed refugees for at 'at least two years'.

The former Manchester United told France Inter radio that his own family history had inspired him to take in a family of migrants.

During the talk, the 49-year-old said that was lending a 50 square meter house, along with a large garden, to people fleeing war and poverty in the Middle East and Africa.

Cantona, regarded as one of the most gifted yet enigmatic footballers of all time, revealed that his maternal grandparents were Spanish republicans who escaped the oppressive Franco regime and fled to France, making the arduous journey across the Pyrenees mountains on foot.

"If you house someone who does not have the right to work, then they need to eat too,' said the enigmatic former France football captain... My maternal grandparents were Spanish Republicans who fled Franco [in the Spanish Civil War] by crossing the Pyrenees on foot,' he said. 'That being our story, it certainly played a role," he said.

In an illustrious playing career, Cantona helped United become the dominant force in England. After retirement, he has become a notable actor, featuring in some notable films and stage plays.