I think the jury might be out on this one [Link]

I make him spot on.

Cantona should have been banned for life.
Roy Keane too for his assault on Haaland (having then admitted he set out to end his career).

While I hate Barton with a passion, he has a point, in that he never bet on any game he was directly involved in (still against the rules, of course, but could have been much worse)

Cantona should have been banned longer / permanently. However that's where the comparison ends. Different times cantonas was over 20 years ago and violence vs gambling aren't comparible in any sense. Does put to bed bartons idea he's being picked on because he's a 'big' name though doesn't it. A big knob more like

When I was a young girl my Mother said to me.. You listen here kid you're CPFC

Barton's ban was infact for 24 months but he cashed out at 18 months instead

can't really compare offences that were committed 20-years apart. I expect if Cantona did that in today's game he'd get longer and a more significant prison sentence. And if Barton was found betting on matches 20-years ago he'd probably have got a slapped wrist.

Cantona would not get a longer ban today if he playing for Man U. In fact their influence has grown he probably would be compensated for the abuse , and we would be ordered to play our matches behind closed doors , with Clattenburg reffing all of them.