Advertisement

Patrice Evra sent off before Europa League game after kicking Marseille fan

The veteran French defender was shown a red card prior to their meeting with Vitoria de Guimaraes.

MARSEILLE DEFENDER PATRICE Evra was sent off after launching a karate-style kick at one of his team’s own supporters before tonight’s Europa League match against Vitoria Guimaraes.

Evra, 36, was engaged in a heated exchange with a group of fans from an area reserved for around 500 Marseille supporters in Portugal before aiming a head-high kick at one of them.

Some Marseille fans had managed to get out of their section of the stands and force their way to the touchline barriers where they were reported to have harangued Evra at close contact.

Stewards at the ground quickly intervened to break up the trouble, with Evra, who was originally listed as a substitute, ordered to return to the dressing room by the referee.

The incident immediately brought back memories of another act of kung-fu kick madness by a French footballer.

In January 1995, Eric Cantona, playing for Manchester United, launched a flying kick at a Crystal Palace supporter at Selhurst Park who had jeered him after he had been sent off.

Cantona’s assault led to a nine-month ban handed down by the English Football Association.

According to football statisticians Opta: “Patrice Evra is the first player to be sent off before the start of a match in the history of the Europa League”.

Evra, also a former Manchester United star, has received heavy criticism for his performances this season and lost his place in the team to on-loan Aston Villa left-back Jordan Amavi.

© – AFP 2017

Subscribe to The42 podcasts here:

Everton’s season goes from bad to worse as 10-man Toffees crash out of Europa League

‘When you’re not playing it can be tough at times, you’ve got to be patient and bide your time’

Author
View 56 comments
Close
56 Comments
This is YOUR comments community. Stay civil, stay constructive, stay on topic. Please familiarise yourself with our comments policy here before taking part.
Leave a Comment
    Submit a report
    Please help us understand how this comment violates our community guidelines.
    Thank you for the feedback
    Your feedback has been sent to our team for review.

    Leave a commentcancel