Former Manchester United star Patrice Evra has been suspended by UEFA for seven months. Evra was playing with French Ligue 1 side Marseille, but has now left the club by mutual consent after his ban.
Patrice Evra banned
Evra was banned after kicking a Marseille fan on November 2nd ahead a Europa League fixture against Vitoria Guimaraes. The defender joined Marseille in January 2017 and was contracted to the French team until the summer.
Marseille released a statement regarding Evra’s departure from the team and his ban.
“By mutual agreement, Marseille and Evra have decided to put an end to their partnership,” the statement said. “The player’s contract is officially terminated with immediate effect.”
Why did Patrice Evra attack a fan?
The reason for the kick on a fan was explained by French newspaper L’Equipe. The media outlet stated Marseille fans had been taunting Evra during the team’s warm-up. Evra approached the fans, but things got heated very quickly.
Three days later during Marseille’s league match against Caen, the club’s supporters raised a banner that read: “You thought you were above the institution OM and its supporters. We don’t want you wearing our colours. Evra get out.”
According to BBC’s Euro Leagues Podcast guest and French football journalist Julien Laurens, Marseille’s ultras were taunting Evra ahead of the team’s fixture against Vitoria. The ultras were calling the defender “rubbish”, and telling him they wanted him to leave the club. Evra apparently kicked a ball at the ultras after being verbally abused.
Evra is 36-years old, and it is unknown if he will be approached by another club after his ban ends.
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