Skip to content

UEFA opens disciplinary proceedings against Patrice Evra

Please use Chrome browser for a more accessible video player

Patrice Evra was sent off before Marseille's Europa League defeat to Vitoria Guimaraes for a karate-style kick at one of his own fans (credit: Maritima medias)

UEFA has opened disciplinary proceedings against Patrice Evra after the Marseille defender aimed a kick at one of his own supporters.

Evra was sent off before Marseille's Europa League defeat to Vitoria Guimaraes for a karate-style kick at a Marseille fan.

It followed a heated exchange with a group of visiting supporters fans on the touchline before kick-off.

UEFA say the 36-year-old will miss "at least one match", with the organisation's disciplinary body set to discuss the case at its next meeting on November 10.

Marseille are also investigating the incident. In a statement the club says: "Olympique de Marseille has noted the altercation between an individual and Patrice Evra during the warm-up at the game against Guimaraes (on Thursday).

Patrice Evra is ushered away by team-mates after a confrontation with fans during the Europa League tie in Portugal
Image: Patrice Evra is ushered away by team-mates after a confrontation with fans during the Europa League tie in Portugal

"An internal investigation has been opened to establish responsibilities.

"No matter what happens, a professional player must maintain self-control despite provocations and insults, no matter how unjustified they may be."

Also See:

Evra was confronted by a group of supporters who had managed to get out of an area reserved for around 500 Marseille fans, who had travelled to Portugal for the game.

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.

Evra leaves the pitch after an incident with Marseille supporters before the start of their match with Vitoria Guimaraes

Marseille's French defender Patrice Evra (C) is escorted off the pitch by teammates Portuguese defender Rolando and Brazilian defender Doria after an argum
Image: Evra is escorted off the pitch by team-mates Portuguese defender Rolando and Brazilian defender Doria

Marseille coach Rudi Garcia said: "Pat (Evra) has experience, and he must not react, it's obvious.

"Patrice is a more than just an experienced player. You can't respond, of course, to insults as bad as they are and as incredible as they might be because they come from one of our supporters.

"He must learn to keep his cool. That's all I can say."

Garcia, however, criticised the fan who taunted Evra at the D. Afonso Henriques stadium.

He added: "He's not a supporter of Marseille, because you can't insult your own players, you have to be behind all of us."

The incident immediately brought back memories of Eric Cantona's flying kick at a Crystal Palace supporter at Selhurst Park in January 1995, 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.

Around Sky