Éric Cantona

Before Euro 2016, Cantona suggested that Karim Benzema and Hatem Ben Arfa's exclusion might be linked to their families' North African origins, while targeting Didier Deschamps. Deschamps filed a defamation complaint; Cantona was formally placed under investigation in 2017 and a trial was contemplated.

Cantona was arrested in London on suspicion of common assault following a street incident and was subsequently granted police bail. According to published reports, the victim did not require medical treatment.

Cantona called on citizens to withdraw their money from banks simultaneously to provoke a systemic shock rather than demonstrate in the streets. The appeal became an international media movement, but the action day on 7 December attracted little participation.

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After being sent off at Crystal Palace, Cantona lunged at supporter Matthew Simmons, kicking and striking him. Manchester United suspended and fined him; the FA extended his ban until the end of September 1995. Cantona was convicted of common assault; an initial two-week prison sentence was replaced on appeal by 120 hours of community service.

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Cantona was sent off at Swindon and again a few days later against Arsenal. The accumulation of incidents led to a five-match suspension.

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Returning to Elland Road with Manchester United, Cantona spat towards a Leeds supporter following provocation. The FA found him guilty, fined him £1,000 and warned him about his future conduct.

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In Istanbul against Galatasaray, Cantona was sent off after vehemently disputing refereeing decisions. His departure from the pitch led to incidents involving Turkish police, and UEFA subsequently imposed a four-match European suspension.

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At Nîmes, Cantona threw the ball at the referee and left the pitch; contemporary accounts also reported a further incident with an opponent in the dressing room. The sequence led to a two-month suspension and preceded his temporary retirement announcement.

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During an OM friendly against Torpedo Moscow, Cantona displayed his anger, threw his shirt and left the pitch. Marseille suspended him and imposed a financial penalty before his temporary departure from the club.

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At Montpellier, Cantona had a dressing-room altercation with teammate Jean-Claude Lemoult. The club president imposed a two-match suspension.

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Cantona was severely sanctioned following a dangerous tackle on Michel Der Zakarian during a match against Nantes, with a reported three-month suspension.

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After not being selected, Cantona publicly insulted Henri Michel. The French federation excluded him from the national team for one year and also imposed a suspended sporting sanction. He apologised shortly afterwards.

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Early in his career, Cantona received a substantial fine after striking goalkeeper and teammate Bruno Martini, who reportedly sustained a black eye.

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