Generations have grown up with him in their front rooms, joining them for the football.

He was football, to all of us in the UK I would wager.

Sad times.

[having been sent off in a game at Crystal Palace] As he was walking towards the tunnel, Cantona launched a 'kung-fu' style kick into the crowd, directed at Palace supporter Matthew Simmons, who had run down 11 rows of stairs to confront and shout abuse at Cantona. Simmons was alleged to have used the words "Fuck off back to France, you French bastard"

In accordance with The FA's wishes, United's initial action was to fine Cantona £20,000 for the assault and to confirm that he would not play for the first team for the rest of the season, although United were still in the hunt for a second double.[61][62] He was also stripped of the captaincy of the France national team by coach Aimé Jacquet. The FA then increased the ban to eight months (up to and including 30 September 1995) and fined him a further £10,000.[63] The FA Chief Executive Graham Kelly described his attack as "a stain on our game" that brought shame on football. FIFA then confirmed the suspension as worldwide, meaning that Cantona could not escape the ban by being transferred or loaned to a foreign club.[64] Cantona never played for the French national team again.[65] His club eventually lost the Premier League title to Blackburn

He was also given a criminal record for it (I think in the end it was community service)

So I think he received his fair share of punishment and consequence from his actions. The lack of game time is probably the only thing keeping some players from repeating the act against some of the utter dickheads that stand hurling abuse in the crowds.