I AM afraid I cannot agree with your editorial headlined 'Penalty too lenient' (SCMP January 30) that comments on the Eric Cantona incident. Although I must admit Cantona was insensible to react ferociously to the curse of a spectator, it is unfair for Cantona to share most of the blame.
As you all know, soccer is an exciting sport that requires high concentration and great enthusiasm; it is sometimes impractical for a player to control his temper during the game.
The tension is particularly intolerable in a sudden burst of excitement, for instance, when a player is sent off.
In Cantona's case, he was sent off by the referee due to an alleged act of retaliation. Before, Cantona was tackled from behind and he was so frustrated he could not suppress his anger. It is true that Cantona's response was a bit too immature but it is the pressure of the game, or more accurately the Premier League, that directly leads to this type of incident.
This kind of incident is unavoidable if soccer is played in such a highly competitive way. To the players of the Premier League, playing soccer is their career and they are under immense pressure to play good football. It is definitely not a game in their eyes. It is a matter of success or failure.
Perhaps the Football Association (FA) should show more care about the psychological health of the players.