Round 1, Battle 8
Eric Cantona (Manchester United, France)
Crimes:
-
The fabled kick
-
Spat on another fan
- Punched teammate Bruno Martini in the face on-field
- Pushed over teammate at Montpellier then threw his boots at his face
-
Insulted manager on-field at Nimes
- Stomped on a Swindon Town player
- Assaulted photographer
outside pub
-
Kicked two Norwich players in the face in two separate games
"THE **** HITS THE FAN!" - Daily Star headline
"A stain on our game." - FA executive on the kung-fu kick
"Cantona said Mr Simmons' face was "contorted with hatred" and he was hurling abuse. " - At assault hearing
"I have to admit that he was a little difficult occasionally. He knew he was better than anyone else." - Academy president on a 9-year-old Cantona
"When times are difficult, I tell myself, 'I'm just passing through." - Whether a form lapse or a fan's sternum
William Gallas (Arsenal, France)
Crimes:
- Left Chelsea after being told he had a guaranteed spot at left-back, but not before
threatening to score own-goals if transfer did not happen
-
Ditched a game halfway through while captain
-
Accused teammates of being cowards
- Punched Samir Nasri for sitting in Thierry Henry's seat on the bus
- Conspirator of the 2010 World Cup players' revolt
- Public spat with French coach Domenech mid-game
- Demanded 80,000 quid a week from Arsenal while being out-of-contract at age 33
"His demands are quite extravagant and I don't think we are prepared to go along with it." - Arsenal spokesman
"The issue was purely one of money, despite his public comments that he wanted a new challenge, to play abroad and so forth." - Chelsea spokesman
"Expected to set an example wearing the armband, Gallas would be less inclined in these circumstances to throw a hissy fit." - The Telegraph
"Are you speaking to me? Who do you take yourself for? You're only 20. I am not your friend.'' - Captain Gallas to youth recruit Nasri
"But if I go it won't be to just 'anywhere'. I'd go to a big club or nowhere at all." - After being declared surplus at Arsenal
Vinnie Jones (Wimbledon, Wales)
Crimes:
- Nearly sterilizing Gazza
- World record holder of quickest yellow card (three seconds)
-
Presented instructional video on how to foul people
- Assaulted neighbor before vandalizing his house
- Movie star roles include: bar brawler, arms dealer, match fixer, comic book mutant, standover man, serial killer, hooligan ringleader, hitman, psychopath SAS commando, mute assassin, Hell's Angel, pro wrestler, Westlife video extra
- Outspoken anti-immigration advocate
“To me, England is past its sell-by date. There is nothing to go back to. It’s not the country I grew up in. It’s a European country now." - Jones on British immigration policy
"Jones does not deserve to be considered a footballer. Getting kicked is part of the job in France as well as England, but the real scandal is that someone like Jones gets to be a star, to make videos and become an example for kids." - David Ginola
"I must have been too high, too wild, too strong or too early, because, after three seconds, I could hardly have been too bloody late!" - Jones on the three-second foul
"Get Vinnie out!" - Crowd chant while Jones appeared on Celebrity Big Brother
”D’you mind, luv? The Arsenal are playing…” - Jones' character in Sherlock Holmes, after being offered a lap-dance by a prostitute
"Well, stone me! We've had cocaine, bribery and Arsenal scoring two goals at home. But just when you thought there were truly no surprises left in football, Vinnie Jones turns out to be an international player!" - Jimmy Greaves on Jones being called up by Wales
