Eric Cantona accidentally visited strip club after kung fu kick at fan

The French legend accidentally visited a strip club just hours after the kung-fu kick that landed him a nine-month ban from football, his best friend has claimed

Posted Monday, June 27, 2022 by Dailystar.co.uk

One of Cantona's close friends has revealed that he accidentally stumbled into a strip club hours after he kicked a Crystal Palace

Eric Cantona stumbled into a strip club – thinking he was going to a fancy pub.

The football legend was looking for somewhere to take his mind off things hours after his infamous kung fu kick incident. Eric, right, ended up in Manchester’s Fantasy Bar – as the French word for “fancy” is “fantaisie”.

But rather than a posh club, he was met with strippers. He was with his best pal Claude Boli, who revealed the mix-up in his new book The King and I.

He said: “Without any of us saying anything, we suddenly understood what kind of club this was. But what could we do?
“It would have been rude to get up and head for the exit.”

Earlier that day in 1995, Cantona had attacked a fan away at Crystal Palace with a flying kick – which would land him a long ban. Claude added: “There was one person who was delighted, of course: the manager – surprised, but delighted to have such a prestigious customer.”

The maverick Frenchman was given his marching orders following an on-field scuffle during United's 1-1 draw away at Selhurst Park back on January 25 1995. As he then made his way towards the tunnel, Cantona stopped to launch himself into the crowd, aiming a flying kick at Simmons, who had been abusing him as he trudged off the pitch.

Cantona was slapped with a nine-month ban from all football-related activities by the FA, while Simmons had his season ticket revoked by Palace.