Eric Cantona's dispute with Manchester United over the profits from merchandising bearing his name has taken a new twist with the club announcing it was refusing to pay their former captain any money. The Frenchman had been expected to receive between £200,000 and £250,000 in settlement of a claim for £750,000 in royalties he and his advisers alleged he was due.
But United's director and solicitor Maurice Watkins spelt out for the first time yesterday that Cantona, now following an acting career in France, would receive no money.
"The club does not consider itself to have any liabilities to Eric at all," he said.
"When he came to leave the club there were a number of issues which had to be sorted out.
"We had discussions with him and his people about these and we've not spoken to him for some time."
Watkins professed to be "quite surprised" at the prominent coverage the row, and United's decision to burn remaining Cantona stock, had received.
The player, he said, was paid off in full when he left the club at the end of last season.
But the on-going dispute now seems likely to end in court, with Cantona claiming his name and image are his `intellectual property' for which he should be paid.
First, it is also likely to mean United fans will be deprived of a final chance to pay tribute to Cantona.
He is said to be so angry at his treatment that he will boycott a party to be staged before a match next month to celebrate the club winning last season's Premiership title.
Fans were expecting Cantona to take his final bow in a lap of honour after the celebration, but United sources claimed last night that he will not be coming. He has yet to reply to an invitation.
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