Cantona ‘regrets not kicking Crystal Palace fan harder’ after Man Utd red card

Eric Cantona has admitted that he regrets not kicking Crystal Palace fan Matthew Simmons harder after being sent off for Manchester United 27 years ago.

The maverick Frenchman was given his marching orders following an on field scuffle during their 1-1 draw away at Selhurst Park back on January 25 1995.

As he then made his way towards the tunnel, Cantona stopped to launch himself into the crowd, aiming a flying kick at Simmons, who had been abusing him as he trudged off the pitch.

Cantona was slapped with a nine-month ban from all football-related activities by the FA, while Simmons had his season ticket revoked by Palace.

However, Cantona has since admitted that he has regrets about the incident and they do not include wishing he did not attack Simmons.

Speaking in the 2021 film, The United Way, Cantona explained: "I have been insulted thousands of times and have never reacted, but sometimes you are fragile.

"I have one regret, I would have loved to have kicked him even harder. I was banned for nine months. They wanted me to be an example."

The ban given to Cantona remains one of the longest ever handed out in English football, keeping him out of action for the rest of the season and the start of the next.

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Cantona was banned from all football-related activity, which extended to any involvement in United reserve team fixtures.

However, the FA attempted to extend his punishment after 'The King' was pictured taking part in a behind closed doors friendly by a reporter.

He also touched on this incident in the documentary, revealing: "It was just a friendly game, but the journalist was on top of a tree outside and he took a picture.

"Unfortunately he didn't fall. The next day it was in the paper and the FA wanted to ban me even more.

"The manager [Sir Alex Ferguson] found the right words like always. And I loved him and respected him. Like a father."

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