Eric Cantona was unfazed by prison threat

Eric Cantona was relaxed and even ate McDonald’s in the moments after he received a two-week prison sentence for his kung fu-style attack on a Crystal Palace fan, according Manchester United’s former head of security.

The football world was stunned 20 years ago when Cantona, after being dismissed for petulantly kicking Palace defender Richard Shaw during a Premiership encounter at Selhurst Park on January 25, 1995, lost his temper so spectacularly as he was escorted along the touchline to the dressing room.

On his way there he passed close to Palace fan Matthew Simmons, and whatever the 20-year-old actually said prompted Cantona to leap towards him, studs first with a kung fu-style kick. The Frenchman landed on the advertising boards and after getting to his feet, unleashed a flurry of punches in Simmons’ direction.