The Nation Newspaper

Tag: Evra

  • Evra under investigation over PSG comment

    Former Manchester United defender Patrice Evra is under investigation by the High Court of Paris for anti-gay remarks aimed at Paris Saint-Germain.

    Evra received criticism from former Monaco teammate Jerome Rothen for his celebrations after United eliminated PSG from the Champions League in March.

    Evra responded by publicly threatening Rothen, before following that up with another expletive-laden tirade on social media, over which sources told ESPN FC PSG were considered legal action.

    “Next time I see you, I’m going to slap you in the face,” Evra had said to Rothen.

    “Stop supporting teams who will never win. Even my cousin who is in the front [of the car] is p—– off. Paris, you are some f—-ts, some f—-ts, I’m telling you.

    ”We [United] put our D team [against PSG] and we did you. Some kids played — they used to clean my boots. They don’t even have sperm [yet]. Paris, you are some p—ies.”

    He finished by reminding Rothen: “I will f—ing slap you in the face.”

    PSG later condemned Evra in an official statement and expressed a desire to support any action taken by partners Rouge Direct, Sportitude and SOS Racisme.

    “PSG strongly condemns Patrice Evra’s homophobic insults towards the club, its representatives, and its former player [Rothen], in a video broadcast across social networks,” PSG’s statement read.

    “These remarks deeply shocked a club very attached to the values of respect and openness towards each other.

    “The fight against homophobia and all forms of discrimination is at the heart of PSG’s actions and values, which has worked alongside Rouge Direct to fight homophobia, as well as Sportitude against all forms of racism.

    “PSG will support any initiative taken by associated partners Rouge Direct, Sportitude and SOS Racisme.”

    Rouge Direct were involved in the investigation opened into Evra’s comments and spokesperson Julien Pontes welcomed the news.

    “It is of great satisfaction to us at Rouge Direct,” he told AFP. “We welcome the speed of the Paris prosecutor’s reaction, who decided that the law does apply to Mr. Evra.

    “With a bit of determination, we can start to sanction procedures that have not yet been seen before in the footballing world.”

    Pontes added that Rouge Direct are hoping Evra is handed “an exemplary punishment.”

  • Patrice Evra Fired, Banned from UEFA Club Competitions

    Patrice Evra Fired, Banned from UEFA Club Competitions

    Marseille defender Patrice Evra has been suspended until June 2018 for kicking one his own team’s fans before a Europa League game, UEFA said Friday.

    Evra was suspended from ”all UEFA club competition matches” until June 30 and must pay a fine of 10,000 euros ($11,650).

    Evra got into a verbal argument with Marseille supporters before the match against Portuguese club Vitoria on Nov. 2. He then aimed a kick at the head of one of the Marseille fans before being ushered away by a teammate.

    The 36-year-old France defender was sent off before the game.

    Marseille, which has opened its own internal investigation into the incident, said in a statement shortly after UEFA’s announcement that it has ended Evra’s contract with ”immediate effect.”

    Evra committed an ”irreparable” act by ”responding to the disgraceful provocations of a handful of individuals,” the club said on its website, adding the decision was taken by ”mutual consent.”

    Marseille said it intended to punish fans for the type of misconduct they showed toward Evra but did not specify whether it would punish those who had insulted the former France defender.

    Marseille is well-known for having a powerful fan base that can exert pressure on the club and players alike.

    ”There’s a lot of sadness today. First of all for Patrice Evra, who has obviously understood all the consequences of his actions and that he can no longer fulfil his passion (of playing) for Marseille,” club president Jacques-Henri Eyraud said. ”For Marseille fans, too, who are stigmatized by the irresponsible behaviour of a handful of them.”

    Before last Sunday’s home game against Caen, fans made it clear to Evra he was no longer welcome at the club, holding aloft two banners criticizing the player before the match at Stade Velodrome.

    ”This Game Is Over,” read one banner in English, mocking Evra’s regular posts on social media where he films himself talking about soccer and says ”I love this game” as he breaks into laughter.

    Former European Cup champion Marseille, the only French club to win the Champions League, was also charged with invasion of the field by its fans, setting off fireworks, and acts of damages. It must pay Vitoria 25,000 euros ($29,000) within 30 days.

  • Evra signs new Juventus deal

    Juventus defender Patrice Evra has signed a new one-year contract with the club, with the option for a further year.

    The experienced France international, who joined from Manchester United in 2014, will be contracted to the Serie A champions until at least the end of the 2016-17 campaign.

    “Patrice Evra has today renewed his Juventus contract for an additional year – with an option for a second – keeping him at the Turin club until at least June 30, 2017,” a statement released by the club confirmed.

    Evra has claimed back-to-back domestic doubles in Italy since bringing an eight-year spell at Old Trafford to an end in 2014.

    The 35-year-old, who confirmed last month that a two-year contract extension had been provisionally agreed, is determined to lift further silverware before calling time on his career in Turin.

    “Everyone said we were finished at the start of the season,” he told La Gazzetta dello Sport in April. “We haven’t yet realised what we’ve accomplished.

    “I joined last season and I had a pact with the club: to be champions of Italy on two occasions. I’m very happy but there is still more to win.”

  • Man United will always be in my heart—Evra

    Patrice Evra has expressed his thanks to Manchester United supporters following his decision to leave the club for Serie A champions Juventus.

    The 33-year-old completed his €1.9 million switch to the Italian giants on Monday and is adamant that United will get back to winning trophies after a difficult 2013-14 campaign.

    He wrote, in a statement posted on the club’s official website: “After a great deal of thought I have decided the time is right for me to leave Manchester United. It is the biggest decision of my career as this club is, and will always remain, in my heart.

    “Joining and playing for Manchester United has been a privilege, a dream come true and my time here has been so memorable. Through the good times and the bad times we have all stuck together and remained loyal. I have always said you don’t just join Manchester United, you join the family and long may that tradition continue.

    “This club is steeped in history and I feel privileged to have become a part of that. Over the past nine years I have met and worked with some incredible people, many of whom will remain friends for life. I would like to thank everyone at the club – teammates, coaches and in particular all the staff who made every single day in Carrington or at Old Trafford a special day.

    “An immense thank you to Sir Alex Ferguson for making it all possible, for giving me the privilege to be a captain, to be inspired by the legend of Manchester United and to understand that nobody is bigger than the club.

    “My biggest thanks go to the fans. We have had some fantastic times together, we lifted all of those trophies together and that night in Moscow will live with us all forever. Every single time I stepped out in that shirt I knew I was playing for the badge and for a very special club.

    “My passion for this club will live on and I know you guys will go on to enjoy more success in the coming seasons.”

  • Evra weighing up Juventus contract offer

    Manchester United left-back Patrice Evra is currently weighing up an offer from Serie A champions Juventus, Goal can confirm.

    Juventus began negotiations with Evra in May and offered the France international a two-year deal, with talks understood to have been positive despite the contract on offer less than his €113-a-week salary.

    However, the 33-year-old appeared to have ended speculation over his future by subsequently signing a one-year extension to remain at Old Trafford.

    The signing of England international Luke Shaw, whom United have made the most expensive teenager in world football with a €200,000-a-week salary, though, has placed Evra’s position as Louis van Gaal’s first-choice left-back under severe threat.

    Juventus have since reignited their interest in the player who is now considering whether to end his eight-year association with the Premier League club.

    Meanwhile, Juventus have seen an approach for Manchester City’s centre-back Matija Nastasic rebuffed by the Premier League champions.

    The 21-year-old Serbia international struggled with form and fitness during his second season at the club and lost his place to the more experienced Martin Demichelis.

    Manuel Pellegrini is determined to increase his central defensive options this summer and has made the signing of Roma’s Medhi Benatia his priority after the deal to sign Porto’s Eliaquim Mangala ran into complications.

    Despite his continued interest in Morocco international Benatia, Pellegrini is unwilling to sanction the departure of Nastasic who joined the club from Fiorentina two years ago.

  • Evra returns for Galatasaray

    Evra returns for Galatasaray

    Manchester United defender Patrice Evra returned to training Tuesday ahead of Champions League tie against Galatasaray on today.

    The French left-back reported for training on Tuesday morning and is now in line to start against the Turkish giants at Old Trafford in their Group H opener.

    Evra missed United’s 4-0 home victory over Wigan Athletic in the Premier League on Saturday with a minor knock he picked up on international duty with France.

    Forward Robin van Persie and playmaker Shinji Kagawa were both in training, along with midfielder Darren Fletcher, who is closing in on a long-awaited comeback from a chronic bowel condition.

    Defenders Chris Smalling and Phil Jones as well as forward Wayne Rooney are out with injuries.