Eric Cantona » Crystal Palace

Matthew Simmons spared jail term

Linus — Wed, 11 May 2011 07:57:02 +0000

Matthew Simmons, the infamous Crystal Palace fan who was kung-fu kicked by Eric Cantona in 1995 and still hated by his fans, has avoided jail time for assault on a manager of his son’s football team.

He was handed a six-month jail sentence, suspended for two years, plus ordered to undertake 150 hours of community service for attacking Stuart Cooper. Last month, a jury found Simmons guilty of assault causing actual bodily harm after hearing the 36-year-old clashed with Mr Cooper at a pre-season match following his the latter’s decision to drop his son from his under-8s side, allegedly after learning of the Cantona incident.

On sentencing Simmons at Kingston crown court, Judge Michael Hopmeier said: “On August 7 2010, families came to watch a football match. Your own son was playing as well as the son of your victim.”

“For reasons that remain unclear, you decided to assault your victim by punching him repeatedly in the face, arms and body. It seems there been some antagonism between you and him as a result of events that had taken place some years previously.”

On top of the suspended sentence and community service, Simmons was also ordered to pay £1,000 in compensation to his victim and £2,000 in prosecution costs.

Neville: Every fan respects Cantona for kung-fu kick

Linus — Sun, 10 Apr 2011 07:15:38 +0000

Gary Neville believes football fans have nothing but respect for the way Eric Cantona unleashed his kung-fu kick on terrace boo boys.

At the end of a week when Wayne Rooney earned himself a two-match ban for using foul language after scoring a hat-trick, Neville recalled the night 16 years ago when Cantona floored Crystal Palace fan Matthew Simmons with a kung-fu kick.

Neville said: “If you asked 100 per cent of football fans – and not just United fans – what they now think about that incident they probably respect Eric for doing what he did.

“Supporters think, ‘well yeah, he was having a go, he was criticising’, and I believe Eric now gets a level of respect for reacting like he did.

“It was all about passion and emotion. Alright, you can’t condone a player going into the stands and doing what Eric did.

“But the reality is that’s real life. That’s what football is. You’re going to get that forever more.”

Matthew Simmons charged with Assault

Linus — Thu, 10 Feb 2011 09:52:56 +0000

The Crystal Palace fan who was at the receiving end of Eric Cantona’s infamous kung-fu kick has been charged in court with an assault charge at a children’s football match.

Matthew Simmons, aged 36, from Thornton Heath, appeared at Kingston Crown Court on Friday and denied a charge of assault.

The bricklayer is alleged to have become involved in a fight while watching his 13-year-old son playing football in August last year.

Cantona Kung-Fu Attack

Linus — Sat, 20 Jun 2009 07:40:40 +0000

Neville: Every fan respects Cantona for kung-fu kick