Marseille suspend veteran defender Evra

MARSEILLE: Patrice Evra (pic) was handed an initial one-match ban by UEFA and suspended by his club Marseille after the veteran defender aimed a karate kick at the head of one of his team’s own supporters.

The former Manchester United star was red-carded for the assault during the pre-match warm-up at Thursday’s Europa League clash at Guimaraes in Portugal.

Marseille said that club president Jacques-Henri Eyraud had met the 36-year-old to inform him of the suspension and warned that he could face further “disciplinary action”.

“Marseille also denounced the unacceptable behaviour of some fans who hurled hateful insults,” said a club statement.

Earlier, European football governing body UEFA said Evra was banned for “violent conduct” and indicated that the former French international faced further sanctions at a disciplinary hearing next week.

“Following his dismissal, the player is suspended for at least one match. The UEFA control, ethics and disciplinary body will decide on this case at its next meeting on Nov 10,” UEFA said.

Both Marseille and Guimaraes, who went on the win the tie 1-0, were also charged over their fans invading the pitch.

Announcing their probe, Marseille said in a statement: “No matter what happens, a professional player must maintain self-control despite provocations and insults, no matter how unjustified they may be.”

Evra was confronted by a group of supporters who had managed to get out of an area in the Afonso Henriques ground reserved for around 500 Marseille fans.

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.

“Pat has experience and he must not react, it’s obvious,” said Marseille coach Rudi Garcia whose side lost the game 1-0 and also had Boubacar Kamara sent off three minutes from time.

“Patrice is 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.”