![‘I would have loved to have kicked him even harder’ ; Cantona shows no remorse over infamous kung-fu kick](http://www.ghheadlines.com/images/default.png)
Eric Cantona has reignited the controversy over his assault on a Crystal Palace fan 26 years ago by claiming he wishes he had kicked him harder.
Cantona was banned by the FA for nine months in total after his kung-fu attack on Matthew Simmonds after being sent off playing for Manchester United at Selhurst Park in January 1995. He also pleaded guilty to assault and served a community service period.
Now the Frenchman has spoken out on the subject, saying: ‘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.’
Cantona, now 54, makes his comments in a new film called The United Way that he narrates and has co-written.
Cantona was to return to play for United for two more seasons. Manager Sir Alex Ferguson persuaded him to stay.
‘The manager found the right words like always. And I loved him and respected him. Like a father.
‘When a manager does something like this to his player, the player will give his life to the manager, to the club and to the fans.
‘They were all behind me. Some clubs maybe would have sacked me but Manchester United offered me a new contract. That’s the difference between Manchester United and the other ones.’
Cantona eventually walked away from United and from football at the end of the 1997 season. He was just 30.
Credit: dailymail.co.uk
The post ‘I would have loved to have kicked him even harder’ ; Cantona shows no remorse over infamous kung-fu kick appeared first on The Chronicle Online.
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