Excitement turned to shock when Cantona stormed off the set declaring, “The revolution won't be televised. The revolution is live!”
Premier League fans across Africa tuned in intently as hosts Julia Stuart and Owen Hargreaves kicked off the new season with an interview featuring notorious former Manchester United captain Eric Cantona.
But excitement quickly turned to shock when Cantona suddenly strode off the set and declared: “The revolution will not be televised. The revolution will be live!”
Skip to 5.30 for details – Cantona was partnering with streaming platform Showmax to promote its innovative English Premier League (EPL) mobile subscription.
Check out the full clip here:
Cantona makes international headlines
The stunt created a huge buzz, with #EricCantona trending around the world. The hashtags #ShowmaxPL and #ForEveryoneEverywhere trended for hours in South Africa and Kenya X, chief marketing officer Yatish Narsi said. “The Premier League in your pocket. Welcome to the revolution!”
Well-known sportscaster Robert Marawa, who took part in the prank, shared behind-the-scenes footage of the stunt on his X profile, and the post has been viewed 84,000 times by fans who were watching the interview.
Fans responded to X, with one writing: “I want my heart back. That was high level TV,” while another said: “Stuart didn't know how to react when Cantona stood up and spoke to the camera.”
Cantona: King of France in the Premier League
Former French footballer and actor Cantona is regarded as one of the Premier League's greatest players. He began his footballing career in France before going on to have a major impact in England.
He is best known for his time at Manchester United from 1992 to 1997. Cantona's arrival at United played a pivotal role in transforming the club into a powerhouse in English football. He won the Premier League four times and the FA Cup twice in his five seasons with the club. His charisma, talent on the pitch and ability to score crucial goals made him a favourite with fans.
Cantona was notorious for his rebellious behaviour, most notably in 1995 when he kicked a fan, earning him a long ban.
After retiring from football in 1997, Cantona pursued a career in acting, appearing in various films and television shows. Despite his off-field controversy, Cantona remains an iconic figure in the football world, especially among Manchester United supporters.
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