March 14 – Former France and Manchester United icon Eric Cantona has been arrested and cautioned on suspicion of common assault following an incident in north London on Wednesday, according to reports.
The mercurial Frenchman, who turned to acting after his footballing ended at the age of 30 in 1997, was apparently detained after being seen at a pub. It was not known whether his victim, who did not require medical assistance, planned to press charges.
“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,” said a Scotland Yard spokeswoman.
“He was taken into custody and subsequently cautioned for common assault. The victim, a man, did not require medical assistance at the scene.”
During an incident-packed career, Cantona was never far from controversy. In January 1995 he was unfamously convicted of assaulting a Crystal Palace fan by launching a kung fu-style kick over advertising hoardings. He was initially sentenced to two weeks in prison, before that was reduced to 120 hours community service while the English Football Association banned him for eight months.
At a press conference following his appeal against his jail term, Cantona uttered the cryptic and immortal words: “When the seagulls follow the trawler, it’s because they think sardines will be thrown into the sea.”
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