Cantona's Kung-Fu Kick: 30 Years On

In England, the 1994/95 football season was turbulent. Managerial sackings were still relatively unusual and a chaotic splurge of dismissals were the just tip of the iceberg. The manager of a major club - Arsenal, was sacked for accepting an 'unsolicited gift'; one of their players, Paul Merson was speaking publicly about severe addiction problems; Blackburn were closing in on the title and the Bosman ruling was just around the corner -  1994/1995 certainly prompts some intriguing memories...

This was the season the Premier League's new found prosperity came to the fore. The arrival of Jurgen Klinnsman at White Hart Lane told the world that English clubs had become global players in the international transfer market. The new found affluence gave any player transgressions an extra dimension. Any kind of trouble involving a footballer was viewed as increasingly scandalous due to their burgeoning wealth.



However, one moment overshadowed everything else. On January 25th at Selhurst Park, Manchester United's Eric Cantona was sent off. Walking alongside the pitch to the tunnel, he ferociously launched a kung fu kick at a Crystal Palace supporter who'd verbally abused him. It wasn't a minor spat. It was sheer, heartfelt anger. A short scuffle followed and the game continued. Alex Ferguson claimed after he hadn't seen the incident. This might seem far fetched but it may well be true. His first thought would've been to rearrange his team.

These were the days before we all carried the world in our pockets. In fact, the first I heard was Eric Cantona got a red card, then had a go at a fan. There was an element of truth in that, but this was a bit more than 'a go'! If water coolers had been a 'thing' in January 1995 they'd have had a kung fu kick shaped moment.

Predictably, the ensuing media frenzy was huge. It was the leading item on BBC news. The report's conclusion was poetic.... "The king lost his crown at the palace". Cantona had been in the English game for three years. His joining Manchester United was justifiably considered to be a pivotal point in their rise to dominance. A player with rare insight who could pick out and execute passes few others could. His unique style was accompanied by moments of petulance. For all this, and despite his status and fame, he still carried an air of mystique.



Manchester United announced Cantona would be suspended for the rest of the season. But, the extent of the commotion surrounding the incident led to suggestions they weren't taking the situation seriously. The FA extended the ban until the end of September, a measure which left Alex Ferguson seething.

As the dust settled, the perception of the confrontation widened. Attention turned to Matthew Simmins, the recipient of Cantona's attack. In court, Simmons claimed he shouted "Off off off, it's an early bath for you Cantona". This was viewed with scepticism to say the least. The TV footage of Simmons rushing down the steps, face contorted in snarling fury, make his claim barely credible. Cantona stated he was regaled with "F**k off back to France you French b*stard" He also heard his mother referred to as a "French whore".

Initially, Cantona was sentenced to two weeks prison. However, on appeal, this was reduced to 150 hours community service. After the sentencing, Cantona spoke to the press. This was the point he delivered the 'seagulls trawler sardines' statement. A gloriously confusing little episode during which he looked totally at one with himself!


Simmons appeared in court in May 1996. He received a £500 fine for abusive behaviour and a year long stadium ban. On hearing the sentence he prolonged his fifteen minutes of fame by physically attacking prosecutor Jeffrey McCann in the courtroom. In consequence he was jailed for a week for contempt of court. The next time he was in the spotlight was in 2011. He was in court for allegedly attacking the coach of his son's football team.

The whole saga brought habitual abuse of players into the spotlight. Later in 1995, Les Ferdinand and Eric Cantona starred in an advert for Nike in which they asked if they should have to accept racial abuse as just being part of their job. 30 years on it could be seen as absurd to need the debate. Excessively vicious or bigoted abuse was never acceptable, and yet, during the mid-1900s, perpetrators were rarely confronted about their behaviour. The kung fu kick brought these things into sharper focus. In that respect, when the boil on his rage burst, it became a turning point. For all the outrageous riches pouring into Premier League player's bank accounts, they were seen as human beings. Rivalry and needle is part of football. This doesn't justify vicious racial abuse.

On reflection, the incident and subsequent pandemonium are amongst football's biggest ever stories. At the centre of it all remains Eric Cantona, completely comfortable in his own skin. When the subject of January 25th 1995 arises in interviews (and it usually does) he mentions his biggest regret over the whole episode...... that being, he only wishes he'd kicked the hooligan harder. 30 years on and he hasn't budged an inch.
   

This piece was kindly written for @TFHBs by Joe Byatt - you can follow him on Twitter/BlueSky @BrisbaneStokie

 

©The Football History Boys, 2023

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