Eric Cantona Mask Tribute by Manchester United Fans Set to Rile Crystal Palace

Crystal Palace fans have reacted angrily to plans by some Manchester United supporters to wear Eric Cantona masks in tribute to the club icon when the sides clash in London this weekend.

Cantona is, of course, a hero at Old Trafford but is remembered at Selhurst Park for the extraordinary kung fu assault of a fan in the crowd in 1995.

Shaun Botterill/Getty Images

Cantona was suspended for most of the year and had to perform community service after the incident.

Perhaps understandably, then, the plans tweeted by fans' group Stretford End Flags caused a stir: 

"

Lots of Cantona masks and flags will be taken to Palace on Saturday by #mufc fans. Worryingly, some masks look nothing like Eric!

— Stretford End Flags (@SEF_MUFC) February 20, 2014"

The main concern behind the insensitivity relates to the death of a fan. United and Palace were later that season drawn in the FA Cup semi-final. Violence broke out between the two sets of fans before the match, and a Palace supporter by the name of Paul Nixon died.

Although they were two separate incidents, the bad blood between the sides began with the Cantona incident.

"

The problem lies in Man United fans who don't realise that the Eric Cantona incident resulted in the death of an innocent football fan

— Ed Malyon (@eaamalyon) February 20, 2014"

Palace fanzine Five-Year Plan summed up the ill feeling: 

"

Celebrating the death of an innocent football fan? P-a-r-t-y RT @ManUtdFF: @FYPFanzine @SEF_MUFC is it not fairly obvious why?

— Five Year Plan (@FYPFanzine) February 20, 2014"

According to a report by Paul Collins in the Daily Mail, United fans wearing Cantona masks when the sides last clashed in 2005 were refused entry.

That said, some fans were arguing that they don't see what the fuss is about:

"

are people seriously getting offended by United fans wearing Cantona masks?! get a grip!

— Phil Jonesinho (@carlm84_) February 21, 2014"

"

Palace fans getting upset about a few Cantona masks? Seriously? how old are they? Grow up, they're only masks! #mufc

— Utd Before Fergie (@UtdBeforeFergie) February 21, 2014"

Palace host United in the Saturday evening match at 5:30 p.m.