When Eric Cantona said at a 1995 press conference: "When the seagulls follow the trawler, it is because they think sardines will be thrown into the sea," everyone was left scratching their heads.
What on earth did it mean? Was Cantona not only a star striker but a philosopher to boot? All he would say by way of explanation was: it meant what it meant.
Now after decades of speculation and analysis, the 57-year-old has said it was just the first thing that came into his head after he was forced to speak to journalists. And his almost 30-year silence on the subject was a sort of revenge against the press who he said had "destroyed" him.
The former footballer turned photographer, actor, documentary maker, sports coach, poet and now singer made his supposedly profound statement after being ordered to speak to the press to explain his notorious kung-fu kick on an abusive Crystal Palace fan at an away game at Selhurst Park in January 1995.
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