Patrice Evra slammed by Marseille fans for kicking supporter: 'Evra get out!'

Marseille fans held aloft two banners criticizing Evra telling him he was not welcome at their club

Europa League - Playoffs – NK Domzale v Olympique Marseille
Patrice Evra has been slammed by Marseille fans Reuters

Olympique Marseille fans have told Patrice Evra he is no longer welcome at the club after the defender kicked a supporter in the head.

Evra was suspended by Marseille on Friday, a day after he confronted a fan and aimed a kick at his head ahead of a Europa League game at Portuguese side Vitoria Guimaraes. Evra, who appeared to make light contact with his foot, had shortly before aimed a punch at the same supporter.

Also read: Patrice Evra suspended by Marseille after kicking fan, awaits disciplinary action

Fans held aloft two banners criticising Evra before Sunday's Ligue 1 match against Caen at Marseille's 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 football and says "I love this game" as he breaks into laughter, reports ESPN.

Two other banners, written in French, declared "You thought you were bigger than the club and the fans. We don't want you in our colours. Evra get out!" and "Love for the jersey. Respect for supporters. Professionalism. Is that too much to ask?" Other fans chanted against Evra during the game against Caen, which Marseille won 5-0.

Thursday's incident caused many other Marseille fans to come down from the stands to try and confront Evra, who was then led away by a teammate. As the players were warming up before the match, Evra had moved away from the field and toward the away section of Marseille fans where an argument began and then escalated.

The 36-year-old Evra is a controversial and often unpopular figure in French football. He was the captain when France went on strike at training during the 2010 World Cup in South Africa, in protest after teammate Nicolas Anelka was sent home. He was given a five-match ban by the French Football Federation.

The reaction this time around was intense, with former national team players and television pundits roundly condemning him.

UEFA said on Friday that Evra will be banned for at least one game. Its disciplinary body will meet next Friday to rule on the incident. He also faces further sanctions from Marseille, who have opened an internal investigation.

Although Marseille said they accepted Evra received some "hateful insults" from a group of fans, the club said he could in no way "respond in such an inappropriate manner."

Patrice Evra has thanked the "real Marseille fans" for backing him since he was suspended by the club for kicking one of their supporters. As reported by the BBC, writing on social media website Instagram, the former Manchester United defender said: "I'm receiving so much support."

Evra's social media message, posted after the game, said: "Great result. Well done guys, I'm really proud of you."

His former Manchester United and France team-mate Mikael Silvestre told BBC Sport that Evra had "no future" at Marseille, but the incident would not be the end of his career.

READ MORE