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Eventually Ferguson, Smith and Watkins decided on a disaster-recovery plan. They would suspend Cantona until the end of the season and fine him two weeks’ wages, the maximum available to them. They communicated the punishment to both Cantona – who acquiesced – and Gordon Taylor, the chief executive of the Professional Footballers’ Association.

By lunchtime on the following day – Friday 27 January – Watkins released a statement detailing the ban: ‘In reaching this decision, which the player fully accepts, Manchester United has had regard to its responsibilities both to the club itself and the game as a whole.’

The statement left open the possibility of Cantona continuing to play reserve team football, but that was quickly rejected by Taylor. ‘I don’t think there’s any real prospect that he’ll be playing for Manchester United reserves, A team or whatever, between now and the date of his commission hearing,’ the PFA chief said. The Football Association quickly applied to FIFA for the ban to apply globally, and got their wish.