Jan 25, 1995 - Manchester United striker, Eric Cantona was sent off the field in the second half of a league game at Selhurst Park for kicking out at Palace centre-back Richard Shaw.

As he left the pitch he ran the gauntlet of the baying home supporters goading him from the grandstand. One of them, Matthew Simmons, went a step further. He made his way down the gangway from his seat somewhere below the press box, hurling abuse and waving a clenched fist in Cantona’s direction. Suddenly, the Frenchman stopped, turned and made eye to eye contact with Simmons.

What happened next went down in the history of football as the most memorable moment as he leapt through the air, ramming his foot into the supporter’s chest forcing him backwards. Simmons got to his feet flinging punches, but a right cross from Cantona floored him again before both men were wrestled apart.

The person that sent Eric Cantona off the field was no other than premiership referee, Alan Wilkie.

Alan Wilkie, age 57, then: premiership referee, now: FA regional manager, working in referee development was down in KL as one of the instructors for AFC Elite Education Seminar.

Yesterday, 25th January 2008 marked the 13th anniversary the day Eric Cantona truly became ‘The King’ to his undying fans… and I had the chance to share a quick ‘Canon moment’ with the person who sent him off

Me with Alan Wilkie (R) from The FA during the AFC Elite Referees Course.