On May 26, 2016, noting the absences of Karim Benzema and Hatem Ben Arfa of the Blues list for the Euro – the first because of his involvement in the affair of the intimate video of Mathieu Valbuena ; the second relegated to the rank of reservist – Eric Cantona sharply attacked national coach Didier Deschamps.

« One thing is certain, Benzema and Ben Arfa, they are the two best players in France and they will not play at the Euro. What is also certain is that their origins are North African », First noted the former glory of Manchester United. And to add: ” Deschamps has a name that sounds very French. It is perhaps the only one in France to have such a French name. No one has ever mingled with anyone in their family. Like the Mormons in America. »

An unfounded procedure according to the opposing party

At the time, Didier Deschamps thus targeted decided to take legal action and attack Eric Cantona for defamation. Only in December 2020, the Paris Criminal Court declared the Bayonnais technician’s complaint null for a procedural reason, the defamatory remarks referred to not being clearly defined in the complaint of the boss of The french team. An unacceptable sentence for Deschamps who, via his lawyers, will immediately appeal.

This Thursday, September 9, the judgment of the Paris Court of Appeal fell, dismissing the coach of the Blues. And Cantona’s lawyer to proclaim her satisfaction in a press release relayed by Le Parisien: ” Mr. Eric Cantona, who has always accepted what he said in the past, welcomes this victory, which puts an end to a procedure he considered unfounded. »