Ex-Manchester United star Patrice Evra kung-fu kicks fan in scenes reminiscent of Eric Cantona

Patrice Evra faces serious sanctions after appearing to kung-fu kick a fan in the head prior to a Europa League match.

The 36-year-old defender, now playing for Marseille, was sent off because of the incident which happened prior to his side’s game with Vitoria in Portugal on Thursday.
Evra was reportedly targeted with chants by the travelling Marseille fans – who are unhappy with his performances this season – as he warmed up for the match.
As he went to leave the pitch and return to the dressing room he, and some of his team-mates, became embroiled in a heated exchange with the travelling supporters who had made their way down to the hoardings by the side of the pitch.

Things then turned violent, with Evra kicking out at one of his side’s own supporters.
Despite the game having not even started and with Evra among the substitutes, he was given a red card by the referee. It meant Marseille saw their number of subs reduced to six.
The former Manchester United defender will face an automatic three-match ban for his sending off but it is almost certain to be extended due to the severity of the situation.

When former Manchester United striker Eric Cantona kicked out at a Crystal Palace supporter he was banned from the game for eight months.

"On the other hand, I can say two things: Patrice, given his experience, must not respond to provocations. What must also be said is that the supporter in question is not a supporter of OM.

"When we are, we do not insult one of his players. But once again, Pat has experience and he should not have reacted. I found myself with one less solution (from the bench)."

The love story between Evra and the supporters of Marseille has now apparently completely disintegrated.

    Vitoria Guimaraes vs O.Marseille
    Marseille away.
    02/11/17 pic.twitter.com/LwzB20GEp8
    — Casuals Life (@PyroManiaticss) November 2, 2017

The 36-year-old left-back, who joined the club from Juventus in January on an 18-month contract, has lost his place this season to ex-Aston Villa man Jordan Amavi.

He has been increasingly criticised for his performances on the pitch and his offbeat videos that he posts on social media.

Evra is not the only man with Manchester United connections to have been involved in a kicking incident with a supporter.
Back on 25 January 1995 Old Trafford legend Eric Cantona caused controversy around the world in an away match at Crystal Palace.

    0 - Patrice Evra is the 1st player to receive a red card before the kick off of a game in the history of the EL (2009/10). Karateka. pic.twitter.com/9Ii92bLnU7
    — OptaJean (@OptaJean) November 2, 2017


The Frenchman had just been sent-off by the referee for a kick on opposition defender Richard Shaw.

As he walked towards the tunnel along the touchline, Cantona launched a kung-fu kick towards Palace supporter Matthew Simmons after he had ran down 11 flights of stairs to confront and direct abuse at the Red Devils forward.

Cantona followed the kick with a series of punches and was hit with a NINE MONTH ban from all football and also with a criminal charge of assault.

He was eventually sentenced to 120 hours of community service.

United hit him with a £20,000 fine while the Football Association and Fifa gave him an eight-month suspension from football and fined him a further £10,000.
Evra has been in hot water before over losing his temper back in 2008.

He was handed a four-match ban and and fined £15,000 after he clashed with Chelsea groundsman Sam Bethell as the Red Devils warmed down after a 2-1 defeat at Stamford Bridge.

He was found guilty of pushing Bethell with his chest and then striking him on the side of the head.

Then as the incident had begun to calm down, he subsequently ran back to confront Bethell and became involved in a further physical confrontation.

There was also his infamous clash with former Liverpool striker Luis Suarez in December 2011.

Evra accused Suarez of racially abusing him, with the Uruguayan banned eight games and hit with a £40,000 fine from the Football Association.
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The pair then clashed again at Old Trafford three months later, when Evra said the striker refused a handshake.
 Then as the incident had begun to calm down, he subsequently ran back to confront Bethell and became involved in a further physical confrontation.

There was also his infamous clash with former Liverpool striker Luis Suarez in December 2011.

Evra accused Suarez of racially abusing him, with the Uruguayan banned eight games and hit with a £40,000 fine from the Football Association.

The pair then clashed again at Old Trafford three months later, when Evra said the striker refused a handshake.