ERIC CANTONA seized a photographer's car keys and his equipment in Grenoble yesterday and had to be persuaded by police to return it later.

According to an eyewitness Cantona along with a friend took the photographer's possessions after blocking his car near the village of La Beaume where the Frenchman's family owns a house.

Cantona refused to be photographed several times during the day. "He is having a rest," his mother said. "He is hibernating, even if it is nearly summer. But I don't really know what he is going to do now - he hasn't told me."

Despite hordes of photographers trying to monitor his every move, Cantona has ventured out to take his Harley Davidson for a spin, accompanied by his son Raphael.