Today marks the 17 year old anniversary of one of the most (in)famous moments in our clubs recent history, Eric Cantonas Kung Fu kick!!! The scene for this world famous spectacle was Selhurst Park in London on January 25th 1995. Manchester United were playing Crystal Palace in the Premier League.
In the 61st minute of the game the King got the red card and as he was walking off the pitch all hell broke loose!!!
Photographer Steve Lindsell managed to take a photograph of the Kung Fu kick, which appeared on the cover of all of the UK's newspapers on the next day (and around the world as well). He described the episode like this: "I was placed on the other side of the pitch and was just following Cantona on through the lens of my camera when he was sent off," said Lindsell. "Suddenly he just jumped over the fence and kicked a guy! I clicked and clicked on the camera. I thought I had managed to get decent picture, but I could never imagine that it would have so much impact as it did. I went to my car outside Selhurst Park, printed out the pictures and sent them to the newspapers. The next day they were everywhere." After the kick, Cantona was escorted off the pitch by Peter Schmeichel, with his head held high.
King Eric got sentenced two weeks in prison for the assault, which was later converted to 120 hours of community service, which he fulfilled by coaching kids in football. The FA gave him four-month ban that would last until the end of the season, but the ban was extended to eight months.
Most part of the above is based on the book "Cantona: The Rebel Who Would Be King" by Philippe Auclair.
Photographer Steve Lindsell managed to take a photograph of the Kung Fu kick, which appeared on the cover of all of the UK's newspapers on the next day (and around the world as well). He described the episode like this: "I was placed on the other side of the pitch and was just following Cantona on through the lens of my camera when he was sent off," said Lindsell. "Suddenly he just jumped over the fence and kicked a guy! I clicked and clicked on the camera. I thought I had managed to get decent picture, but I could never imagine that it would have so much impact as it did. I went to my car outside Selhurst Park, printed out the pictures and sent them to the newspapers. The next day they were everywhere." After the kick, Cantona was escorted off the pitch by Peter Schmeichel, with his head held high.
King Eric got sentenced two weeks in prison for the assault, which was later converted to 120 hours of community service, which he fulfilled by coaching kids in football. The FA gave him four-month ban that would last until the end of the season, but the ban was extended to eight months.
Most part of the above is based on the book "Cantona: The Rebel Who Would Be King" by Philippe Auclair.
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