Patrice Evra Leaves Marseille After Being Banned By UEFA For 7 Months For Kicking A Fan (Photo)

This is a bad moment for Marseille defender Patrice Evra who has been banned by UEFA for seven months for his Karate kick to the head of a fan last week. The former Manchester United left back was sent off before a Europa League match in Portugal after being involved in a fracas with traveling Marseille fans with Evra kicking him on the head.

Now, UEFA has banned Evra from playing in European competitions through the end of the season. Evra and Marseille subsequently agreed to terminate his contract.

Read the press statement from the French club;

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

Evra’s ban pertains to all UEFA club competitions, and stretches until June 30, 2018. Evra was also fined 10,000 euros by UEFA for the incident.