On January 25, 1995, Manchester United faced a fiery encounter against Crystal Palace at Selhurst Park. Eric Cantona, a key player for United, found himself on the receiving end of more fouls than usual. Frustrated, he protested to referee Alan Wilkie, questioning, “Aren’t there any yellow cards?” Then, just four minutes into the second half, Wilkie issued a red card to Cantona following a challenge by Richard Shaw. As he headed towards the dressing room, a xenophobic insult from a spectator ignited his wrath. What transpired next has become an iconic moment in football history: Cantona launched a legendary kick at a fan named Matthew Simmons, who was later identified as a fascist.
Having served a nine-month suspension, completed 120 hours of community service, and paid a fine of $30,000, Cantona expressed no remorse for his actions. “Kicking a fascist isn’t something you get to do every day; I regret not hitting him harder,” he later remarked.
This incident unfolded while the home team, Crystal Palace, trailed 1-0 to United. After enduring several unpunished fouls, Cantona committed a foul himself and was ejected from the match. It was Simmons’ insult that prompted Cantona’s storied reaction, making it one of the most romanticized moments in football history.
Who was the fan Cantona deemed xenophobic? Matthew Simmons had become the focal point of Cantona’s frustration amid the taunts, which were rumored to be xenophobic—a claim Simmons has consistently denied. However, after the incident, it was revealed he held extreme right-wing beliefs. Just three years prior, Simmons had been involved in a robbery at a petrol station, where he attacked an employee of Sri Lankan descent with a wrench. A decade after the infamous kick, he assaulted a youth coach at Fulhan FC for not selecting his son and faced charges for spitting and insulting the coach four years later.
The 30th anniversary of Cantona’s kick coincides with a rather troubling global context, highlighted by the recent Nazi salute controversy surrounding Elon Musk, which has sparked widespread debate. Online memes have surfaced linking this incident to Cantona’s kick, humorously depicting the football star kicking the billionaire.
As fascism reemerges in the open, the football community increasingly remains silent. Today’s football icons are not as outspoken as the likes of Cantona, Sócrates, or Diego Maradona. FIFA appears to become more embroiled in corruption, aligning itself with the status quo, evidenced by its swift sanctions against Russia for its invasion of Ukraine while remaining quiet on the genocide occurring in Gaza.
Eric Cantona represents the spirit of rebellious football. A true star who left professional football when it no longer piqued his interest, he made a lasting impact both on and off the pitch. A prominent figure at Manchester United, he won numerous titles and is remembered for stunning goals that are still celebrated online today.
Moreover, alongside Diego Maradona, Cantona co-founded the Professional Footballers’ Association, the first international union for footballers, with Maradona as president and Cantona as vice-president.
Yet, Cantona has evolved beyond this legacy. He has vocally condemned racism and xenophobia on multiple occasions, advocated for immigrants, and recently expressed solidarity with the Palestinian people. Following his retirement, he pursued acting, hosted sports programs, and even created a documentary series celebrating rebellious footballers from around the globe.