It’s the 20th anniversary of one of the most spectacular moments in Premier League history on Sunday…
It is 20 years since Eric Cantona’s infamous kung-fu kick, and we’ve taken a look at some of the most controversial moment in Premier League history, including the Bruce-Lee-esque assault…
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Eric Cantona’s Bruce-Lee Assault
Eric Cantona’s kung-fu kick will always be remembered as the most controversial moment in Premier League history, and it resulted in worldwide headlines.
On 25 January 1995, in an away league match against Crystal Palace, Cantona was shown a red-card for a kick on Eagles defender Richard Shaw, and, on his way to the tunnel, the Red Devils forward took exception to one Palace fan, Matthew Simmons, in the stands and reacted by dishing out a kung-fu kick assault followed by a series of punches.
Simmons reportedly shouted out:”F**k off back to France, you French motherf****r”
The Manchester United forward was subsequently arrested and convicted of assault – resulting in a two-week prison sentence. This, however, was overturned in an appeal and instead the striker was sentenced to 120 hours of community service.
Paulo Di Canio Shoves Referee
Paulo Di Canio was never away from controversy throughout his career – and of the most shocking moment of the Italian’s time in England came in Sheffield Wednesday’s 1-0 win over Arsenal.
During the victory a brawl between the two sides broke out before half-time – and referee Paul Alcock singled out the West Ham legend as the instigator of the scuffle following his clash with Arsenal defender Martin Keown, and dished out a straight-red.
In reaction to the red-card, the attacking midfielder shoved referee Alcock, after which the official took a hilarious tumble and crashed onto the turf.
The Italy international was given a £10,000 fine and banned for 11 matches.
Roy Keane Exacts Revenge
In the early days of Roy Keanes’ career, he badly injured himself in attempting to tackle then Leeds United defender Alf Haaland.
The Republic of Ireland international never forgave Haaland for the incident – and set out to exact his revenge with one of the nastiest tackles to ever hit a Premier League match.
Keane got his vengeance at Old Trafford – planting his studs into the Norwegian’s knee – and the nasty challenge ended the City defenders’ career.
The midfielder was banned for five matches and fined £150,000.
Bowyer and Dyer Get The Handbags Out
In an embarrassing 3-0 defeat to Aston Villa in 2005 on their home turf, Newcastle United players Lee Bowyer and Kieron Dyer exerted their frustrations onto each other and came to blows during the game.
The pair squared up to each other on the pitch and the scuffle continued down the tunnel following both of their dismissals by the referee.
Luis Suarez Gets His Teeth In
Luis Suarez, while lighting up the Premier League each week with his natural talent and spectacular goals, had his Liverpool career marred with a number of shocking moments.
In the 2-2 league clash against Chelsea, Suarez clashed with Blues defender Branislav Ivanovic in the box, but clashed in a way that no one, not least Ivanovic, would have expected…
The striker grabbed the arm of the defender and sunk in his teeth. The bite was not noticed during the game and Suarez went on to score the equaliser in stoppage-time.
Subsequently handed a 10 match ban and fine for an undisclosed amount.
Adebayor Celebration vs Arsenal
Adebayor signed for Manchester City from Arsenal on a five-year-contract in July 2009 – and in the league clash against his former club Arsenal, the striker scored in a 4-2 victory.
However, it wasn’t the goal that enraged Gunners fans – rather it was the celebration that followed; Adebayor ran almost the entire length of the pitch to celebrate in front of the Arsenal fans causing a predictably angry response.
The celebration was in reaction to the racial abuse and insults about his mother sung throughout the game by his former fans.
The Togo international was booked for his actions, but received no further punishment.
Suarez vs Patrice Evra
Prior to the indefensible bite on Branislav Ivanovic, during a heated clash against Manchester United at Anfield in 2011, Suarez reportedly aimed racial abuse at Red Devils’ left-back Patrice Evra.
A six-game ban was handed to the striker.
The two sides next met in February at Old Trafford and controversy ensued before kick-off when Suarez ignored the hand of Evra, even though the defender had offered it.
Arsenal vs Ruud van Nistelrooy
In Arsenal’s ‘invincible’ season, the score was 0-0, and in the final minutes of the game, Manchester United were awarded a penalty. Ruud van Nistelrooy stepped up but missed from the spot.
The controversy ensued when, in reaction to the miss, Arsenal players surrounded the forward in anger of his behaviour throughout the match.
However, revenge was exacted when a year later, van Nistelrooy ended the Gunners’ unbeaten run in a 2-0 victory at Old Trafford with a goal from the penalty-spot.