Patrice Evra sent off for kicking fan during warm-up

Marseille defender Patrice Evra was sent off before his side’s 1-0 Europa League loss on Thursday after aiming a kick at a fan. Evra had been named as a substitute for the game at Portuguese club Guimaraes but he was sent back the dressing room before kickoff.

The 36-year-old now faces almost certain sanction by UEFA following scenes reminiscent of Eric Cantona’s kung-fu kick at Selhurst Park in 1995.

During warm-ups, Evra was involved in an argument with some of Marseille’s own travelling fans who were singing negative chants aimed at him.

When some of the Marseille fans began approaching the pitch, the rest of the Marseille team ran over, and Evra aimed a high kick over the advertising boards towards a fan standing on the other side.

UEFA’s game log confirmed: “The Marseille substitute has been shown a red card following an incident with the crowd.”

Marseille boss Rudi Garcia revealed afterwards Evra had reacted to taunts from the fans, but still criticised his actions.
“Pat has experience and he must not react, it’s obvious,’’ Garcia was quoted by L’Equipe as telling BeIN Sports.

“Patrice is a more than experienced player and we cannot respond to insults so low and so incredible because they come from one of our supporters.’’

On the fan, Garcia said: “He is not a supporter of OM, because you cannot insult your own players, you have to be behind everyone.’’

Former Manchester United full-back Evra joined Marseille in January following a two-and-a-half-year spell with Juventus.

- ESPN