Who was the fan Cantona kicked?

On this day in 1995, one of the most infamous incidents in Premier League history took place. Manchester United legend Eric Cantona kicked Crystal Palace fan, Matthew Simmonds, in the middle of a match after being sent off. He was subsequently banned by the FA for nine months.

Who is the hooligan Cantona kicked?

Eric Cantona's infamous kung fu kick on a fan at Selhurst Park was only the beginning of the story in January 1995. Further violence was to follow at the court hearing. During the trial in May 1996, Matthew Simmons claimed he had shouted "Off! Off!

What happened to the fan Eric Cantona kicked?

MATTHEW SIMMONS, the Crystal Palace fan who was assaulted by Manchester United striker Eric Cantona, attacked the prosecutor after being found guilty in London yesterday on two charges of using threatening words and behaviour.

Who was the supporter Cantona kicked?

Eric Cantona has admitted he regrets not kicking Crystal Palace fan Matthew Simmons harder despite receiving a nine-month ban for his infamous moment of madness.

What did Matthew Simmons say to Eric Cantona?

As Simmons received a guilty verdict for his part in the Cantona incident he launched himself over the front bench and grabbed prosecutor Jeffrey McCann before being apprehended by court staff. Simmons then shouted “I am innocent, I swear on the Bible” and called the press “scum”.

What did the Crystal Palace fan say to Cantona?

It later emerged that supporter has yelled, 'f*** off back to France you French mother*****,' and Cantona was then widely praised for trying to literally kick racism out of football.

When the seagulls follow the trawler meaning?

Indeed, a fairly simple explanation would be that it refers to the press interest in him, and the pressure for him to give them something to report on. The trawler is him, the seagulls are the press, and the sardines are quotes from him about the case.

What happened to Matthew simmonds?

Simmons, 36, will be sentenced on 9 May after being found guilty of assault. The pair clashed last August at a football pitch in front of dozens of young footballers following several years of "bad blood" over the exclusion, prosecutor Michael Logsdon told the jury.

Why did Eric Cantona wear his collar up?

Cantona was superstitious as many other footballers were, and on this occasion, it is said that after feeling a twinge of sciatica, he decided to wear the collar up, possibly to remind him of the importance of that famous posture.

Did Cantona get banned for kicking fan?

Eric Cantona has said his only regret from his famous kung-fu kick assault on a Crystal Palace fan is that he didn't kick him harder. Manchester United legend Cantona received a nine-month suspension from the FA after his attack on Matthew Simmons.

What did Eric Cantona do to go to jail?

Set against his achievements in football was a poor disciplinary record throughout his career, including a 1995 conviction for an assault on an abusive spectator for which he received a two-week prison sentence (reduced to community service on appeal) and an eight-month suspension from football.

What did Eric Cantona do illegal?

In January 1995 Cantona was infamously convicted of assaulting Crystal Palace fan Matthew Simmons, launching a kung fu kick over the advertising hoardings at Selhurst Park.

Who was the Crystal Palace fan Cantona?

Anyone watching the BBC documentary on the rise of the Premier League will be wondering if this actually happened. Yes. Yes it did. Crystal Palace fan Matthew Simmons had antagonised the player as he walked past him so much, it resulted in one of the most extraordinary events in English football history.

Did Eric Cantona wear studs?

On 25 January, 1995, Eric Cantona hurled himself studs-first into one of the most unforgettable moments in Premier League history and, apparently, Alex Ferguson didn't come down too hard on his talisman at the time.

What do you mean by trawlers?

Definition of trawler

1 : a boat used in trawling. 2 : a person who fishes by trawling.

When the seagulls follow the trawler date?

After the conference was over everyone was asking questions about it.” It was interpreted as a dig at the press, with Cantona the trawler and the press pack the hungry seagulls. On January 25, 1995, Cantona had been sent off early in the second half of a Premier League match away to Crystal Palace at Selhurst Park.

What did Cantona mean seagulls?

That sounds appropriate for the line Manchester United striker Eric Cantona uttered in 1995. "When the seagulls follow the trawler, it's because they think sardines will be thrown into the sea." It's been endlessly dissected since. Nearly two decades later, troubled star Shia LaBeouf has pulled a Cantona.

What did Eric Cantona say about seagulls?

Eric Cantona delivered one of the most famous phrases football has ever known when he uttered the immortal and completely baffling words: 'When seagulls follow the trawler, it is because they think sardines will be thrown into the sea. '

Who sold Cantona to Manu?

So why did Leeds let him go? When Leeds United decided to sell Eric Cantona to Manchester United, they probably didn't realise it would help their rivals become England's most dominant club for the next 20 years.

Why did Cantona get suspended?

Manchester United's Eric Cantona has been fined £20,000 and banned from playing football over his kung fu-style attack on a fan. The club has relegated the French star striker to the bench for nine months for lashing out at a fan in the front row during a game against Crystal Palace two days ago.

Who did Eric Cantona score his first United goal against?

Cantona made his United debut against Manchester City in December 1992, coming on as a second-half substitute. United won 2-1 thanks to goals from Paul Ince and Mark Hughes. Despite a disappointing start to the season, five months later, United were champions for the first time in more than two decades.

How many goals did Cantona score in his career?

Cantona struck 161 goals in 432 appearances in his club career.