Eric Cantona » Matthew Simmons

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.

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

Matthew Simmons still hated by Cantona fans

Linus — Mon, 15 Jun 2009 14:06:24 +0000

Matthew Simmons, the Crystal Palace fan famously given a flying kick by Eric Cantona told of how he is STILL a hate target — 14 years on.

Speaking to The Sun, Simmons, who is now 34, whined as the Manchester United legend’s film Looking For Eric hits cinemas: “I get phone calls taunting me and threatening me.”

Cantona launched his infamous ‘kung-fu’ style kick onto Simmons after he launched a foul-mouthed tirade from the crowd at Selhurst Park in 1995.

Cantona was sentenced to community service for assault and was banned from football for nine months.

Simmons, of Thornton Heath, South London, was sentenced to seven days’ jail for threatening language and behaviour.

He cheekily suggested film chiefs should have asked him to the premiere — moaning: “No one has invited me to any previews. I’m not sure I’ll bother going to see it.”