Manchester United great Eric Cantona has shared his regret about his infamous kung-fu kick on a fan - stating he wishes he kicked him harder.
The Frenchman was handed a nine-month suspension from football after kicking Crystal Palace fan Matthew Simmonds after being sent off in the clash in January 1995, where he also pleaded guilty to assault and served a community sentence period.
However, rather than wishing he did not do the action, Cantona has instead declared he wishes he kicked the supporter harder.
The comments came in a new film called 'The United Way', which he narrates and co-wrote, which releases on May 24th and charts the growth of United from the Munich air disaster in 1958 to the current day.
"I have been insulted thousands of times and have never reacted, but sometimes you are fragile," he told the Mail.
"I have one regret. I would have loved to have kicked him even harder. I was banned for nine months. They wanted me to be an example."
Cantona returned from his ban to play two more seasons for United but almost quit the club in the summer of 1995 after being found guilty of breaching his suspension by featuring in a behind-closed-doors friendly but was persuaded to stay by Sir Alex Ferguson.
"It was just a friendly game, but the journalist was on top of a tree outside and he took a picture. Unfortunately he didn't fall. The next day it was in the paper and the FA wanted to ban me even more.
"The manager found the right words like always. And I loved him and respected him. Like a father. When a manager does something like this to his player, the player will give his life to the manager, to the club and to the fans.
"They were all behind me. Some clubs maybe would have sacked me but Manchester United offered me a new contract. That's the difference between Manchester United and the other ones."
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The United Way airs on Sky Documentaries and NOW on 24 May at 9pm and is also available on Blu-ray, DVD and download-to-own on 10 May.
