Patrice Evra ban from European competitions for eight months

Patrice Evra has been SACKED by Marseille for kicking a fan in the head.

The left-back has also been banned from European football competitions until the end of the season, and fined €10,000.

The incident took place before Marseille’s Europa League game against Vitoria last week.

A statement from the club read:”Patrice Evra has been exemplary on the field and in the locker room. He played an important role in reviving the team and in the improvement of results.

“However, on November 2 in Guimaraes he committed an irreparable act by responding to provocations from a handful of individuals. Nothing justified such a reaction, especially from a senior player whose attitude both on and off the pitch should inspire the youngest of us.

“In that context, the conditions were no longer right for Patrice Evra to accomplish his mission here with serenity or, above all, effectively. Both parties agreed to end the collaboration by mutual consent.

“This incident also highlighted the unacceptable attitude of a small number of people who uttered insults and threats of violence towards the player and his family before contemptuously invading the pitch.

“Such behaviour, which exposes the club to sanctions, has no place in the stands of a football stadium and at Marseille in particular.”

Marseille supporters had been verbally abusing the defender during the warm-up for the Europa League match.

Evra is then alleged to have kicked a ball in the direction of the Marseille fans behind the goal, which caused the situation to spiral out of control.

Moments later the Frenchman walked over to confront the fans, and was held back by his teammates as supporters leaped over the barriers.

Evra then aimed a karate kick at one of the fans, which resulted in him being sent off before the game had even started.