Ex-Manchester United star Eric Cantona arrested for assault in London

Eric Cantona

Former Manchester United star Eric Cantona has been arrested and cautioned by the police in London yesterday, for assaulting a man.

The 47-year-old was taken into the police custody after being involved in a lunchtime altercation in the city’s trendy Primrose Hill area. As of now, it is unknown whether his victim will press charges or not.

Following the incident, a statement has been released by the Metropolitan Police, which read:

“Police were called to Regents Park Road, NW1, at 12.55pm on Wednesday 12th March, following reports of an assault.

“Officers from Camden Borough attended and a man in his mid-40s was arrested on suspicion of common assault.

“He was taken into custody and subsequently cautioned for common assault.

“The victim, a man, did not require medical assistance at the scene.”

However this is not the first time that the Frenchman has been involved in a legal tussle, as in January 1995, he was convicted of assaulting a Crystal Palace fan Matthew Simmons. Although he was earlier sentenced to two weeks of jail time, the punishment was later reduced to 120 hours of community service,

The footballer turned actor was also banned for eight months by the Football Association, who also fined him £10,000 for his infamous “Kung-Fu” kick on Simmons. Manchester United had banned the striker for four months and had imposed a fine of £20,000.

Cantona, after his successful appeal against the jail term had instinctively reacted with a quote, which has been famous ever since: “When the seagulls follow the trawler, it’s because they think sardines will be thrown into the sea.”