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Agence France-Presse

Patrice Evra parted ways with Marseille on Friday after his infamous karate kick on one of his own fans, just moments after being banned from European tournaments until June 30, 2018.
Marseille said they and the 36-year-old defender had both agreed the former Manchester United and French international would leave by “mutual consent”.
“The player’s contract is officially terminated with immediate effect,” said the club.
Moments earlier, Evra was banned by Uefa from all European tournaments until June 30 and fined €10,000 (US$11,650).
Evra was widely condemned for the assault on a Marseille spectator which took place during the pre-match warm-up of a Europa League tie at Portuguese side Vitoria Guimaraes last week.
He had been suspended by Marseille in the wake of the controversy while the club’s fanatical followers made it abundantly clear that he was no longer welcome at the Stade Velodrome.
Marseille’s Patrice Evra becomes first player to be sent off before a Europa League game after assaulting own fan
“This Game is Over” said a banner unfurled at the ground at last weekend’s 5-0 win over Caen.
Another banner read: “We don’t want you in our colours any more. Evra get lost.”
Marseille president Jacques-Henri Eyraud said on Friday it was a sombre day for the 1993 European champions.
“Today, there is sadness, firstly for Patrice Evra, who obviously understood the consequences of his actions and who will no longer be able to display his passion at Marseille,” said Eyraud.
“Then, for the supporters of Marseille, who are stigmatised because of the irresponsible behaviour of a handful of them.
“Finally, for the club, whose reputation is tainted.”
The ban handed down by Uefa mirrored that given to Evra’s French compatriot Eric Cantona for his flying kick in 1995.
Kung fu fighting: Patrice Evra suspended by Marseille and faces Uefa ban for Cantona-style kick on fan
Cantona, who was playing for Manchester United at Crystal Palace when the attack took place, was banned for eight months by the English FA.
Uefa said it had not asked Fifa to extend the ban internationally which would have prevented Evra from seeking a new club outside Europe.
France national coach Didier Deschamps said he was saddened by the affair.
“It’s a very complicated situation, I wouldn’t wish anyone to be in this situation,” said Deschamps after France’s 2-0 friendly win over Wales in Paris on Friday night.
“The sanctions have been announced and they are heavy.”
Evra had already attempted damage limitation at the weekend.
“Great result tonight well done guys I’m really proud of you. Thanks to all real Olympique Marseille fans … I’m receiving so much support from them,” he wrote on his Instagram account after the win against Caen.
Kung fu kick Patrice Evra ‘should have known better’, says France manager Didier Deschamps
Marseille’s American owner Frank McCourt said that Evra’s moment of madness was “unacceptable” but had also pointed the finger at the fans involved.
“This was unacceptable behaviour, from both the player and the supporters,” McCourt told La Provence newspaper.
“It’s not something that we can tolerate at Marseille, it’s as simple as that.
“It’s a very regrettable incident and it is really a pity to see a great player like Patrice pushed to a point where he behaves like that,” McCourt said.
Evra’s career has been dogged by controversy. At the 2010 World Cup in South Africa he led a revolt of the French players against coach Raymond Domenech.
A year later, while playing for Manchester United, Evra was the target of a racist insult from then Liverpool striker Luis Suarez. The Uruguayan was banned for eight matches and fined over the incident.


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Uefa

‘Karate kick' Patrice Evra sacked by Marseille and banned by Uefa until June 30

Marseille defender Patrice Evra tries to kick a supporter before the start of the Europa League match against Vitoria SC in Guimaraes. Photo: AFP

(FILES) This file photo taken on June 15, 2016 shows France's defender Patrice Evra reacting during the Euro 2016 group A football match between France and Albania at the Velodrome stadium in Marseille. Following the November 2, 2017 UEFA Europa League incident in which Evra kicked a Marseille supporter in the face before a match in Guimaraes in Portugal, Evra was banned from all European tournaments until June 30, 2018, the UEFA said on November 10, 2017, as his club of Olympique Marseille (OM) said Evra was leaving the OM. / AFP PHOTO / BERTRAND LANGLOIS

Soccer Football - International Friendly - France vs Wales - Stade de France, Paris, France - November 10, 2017 France coach Didier Deschamps before the match REUTERS/Charles Platiau

(FILES) This file photo taken on November 02, 2017 shows Marseille's French defender Patrice Evra (L) is escorted off the pitch by teammates Portuguese defender Rolando and Brazilian defender Doria (R) after an argument with supporters before the start of the UEFA Europa League group I football match Vitoria SC vs Marseille at the D. Afonso Henriques stadium in Guimaraes. Following the incident in Guimaraes, Evra was banned from all European tournaments until June 30, 2018, the UEFA said on November 10, 2017, as his club of Olympique Marseille (OM) said Evra was leaving the OM. / AFP PHOTO / MIGUEL RIOPA

Kung fu kick Patrice Evra ‘should have known better’, says France manager Didier Deschamps

French national team coach Didier Deschamps says Patrice Evra ought to have known better than to assault a fan. Photo: AFP

TOPSHOT - Teammates try to calm down Marseille's defender Patrice Evra (back L) as he tries to kick a supporter before the start of the UEFA Europa League group I football match Vitoria SC vs Marseille at the D. Afonso Henriques stadium in Guimaraes on November 2, 2017. / AFP PHOTO / MIGUEL RIOPA

Marseille supporters display banners reading "Love of the jersey, respect for supporters, professionalism, is it too much to ask?", prior to the League One soccer match between Marseille and Caen, at the Velodrome stadium, in Marseille, southern France, Sunday, Nov. 5, 2017. Supporters react after Marseille's player Patrice Evra kicked the head of a supporter of Marseille before the Europa League match against Vitoria SC Guimaraes. (AP Photo/Claude Paris)

Marseille’s Patrice Evra becomes first player to be sent off before a Europa League game after assaulting own fan

Marseille’s Patrice Evra is escorted off the pitch by teammates after assaulting a spectator ahead of the Europa League clash with Vitoria SC. Photo: AFP

Marseille's defender Patrice Evra (C) leaves the pitch after an incident with Marseille supporters before the start of the UEFA Europa League group I football match Vitoria SC vs Marseille at the D. Afonso Henriques stadium in Guimaraes on November 2, 2017. / AFP PHOTO / MIGUEL RIOPA

Marseille's Patrice Evra, center left, is led away by his teammate Rolando after a scuffle with Marseille supporters who trespassed into the field before the Europa League group I soccer match between Vitoria SC and Olympique de Marseille at the D. Afonso Henriques stadium in Guimaraes, Portugal, Thursday, Nov. 2, 2017. Evra was shown a red card before the start of the match for his involvement in the incident. (AP Photo/Luis Vieira)

Kung fu fighting: Patrice Evra suspended by Marseille and faces Uefa ban for Cantona-style kick on fan

Marseille defender Patrice Evra is escorted off the pitch by teammates after an argument with supporters before their Europa League match against Vitoria. Photo: AFP

Marseille's Patrice Evra, third left, raises his foot trying to kick a man during a scuffle with Marseille supporters who trespassed into the field before the Europa League group I soccer match between Vitoria SC and Olympique de Marseille at the D. Afonso Henriques stadium in Guimaraes, Portugal, Thursday, Nov. 2, 2017. Evra was shown a red card before the start of the match for his involvement in the incident. (AP Photo/Luis Vieira)

(FILES) This file photo taken on January 25, 1995 shows Manchester United star Eric Cantona fighting with a spectator during Manchester United 's 1-1 draw with Crystal Palace, 25 January 1995. Football players have lost their calm against supporters a few times, the kung-fu moove of Eric Cantona in 1995 is an example. While Cantona is going back to the lockers, the supporter Matthew Simmons, insults him. The French football player kicks the supporter with his right foot and his crampons in the face, and punches him. For this reaction Cantona will pay a high fee and will be expelled until the end of the season. / AFP PHOTO / STR

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Football

Volatile defender also fined €10,000 by Uefa after clash with his own supporters


Uefa Europa League