Football
ESPN staff 6y

Patrice Evra's Marseille contract terminated after UEFA season ban

Patrice Evra has had his contract with Marseille terminated after UEFA suspended him from all European club competition until June 30, 2018, for aiming a kick at a fan ahead of a Europa League game.

Video footage showed the 36-year-old aiming the kick at the Marseille fan as visiting players and supporters confronted each other at the side of the pitch before the tie at Guimaraes on Nov. 2. He was then ushered away by a teammate.

Marseille had initially suspended the player indefinitely, but shortly after UEFA's Control, Ethics and Disciplinary Body (CEDB) decided to ban Evra from playing in UEFA club competition for the rest of this season, the Ligue 1 club announced that his one-year contract had been ripped up "by mutual agreement." 

The former Manchester United player has also been fined €10,000 by UEFA.

However, Evra's punishment only applies to the Europa League and Champions League, meaning he could still sign for another club in January and play domestic football -- pending any punishment from the French FA.

A statement on Marseille's website read: "By mutual agreement, Olympique de Marseille and Patrice Evra decided to end their collaboration. The player's contract is officially terminated with immediate effect."

The club went on to thank Evra for his impact since joining in January but accepted it was impossible for him to remain. They also again criticised the attitude of the supporters whose provocation led to the player's reaction. 

The statement continued: "This incident also highlighted the unacceptable attitude of a small number of people who uttered insults and verbal threats of a rare violence towards the player and his family, and then invaded the pitch in contempt.

"Such behaviour, which exposes the club to sanctions, have no place in the stands of a football stadium and at Olympique de Marseille in particular, where love for his team and support for his players make the Marseille public the best 12th man in France."

Marseille, who have also been fined €25,000 by UEFA and ordered to pay for damages caused by the club's fans to Guimaraes' ground within 30 days, reiterated that they intend to take action against the fans involved.

Club president Jacques-Henri Eyraud added: "Today, there is sadness. For Patrice Evra first, who obviously understood all the consequences of his actions and who will no longer be able to fulfill his passion [of playing] at Olympique de Marseille.

"For Marseille fans too, who are stigmatised because of the irresponsible behaviour of a handful of them. For the club finally, whose reputation is tainted. Despite this incident, we are more than ever determined to demonstrate on and off the field that we are driven by the highest individual and collective demands."

Guimaraes were also fined €5,000 for a pitch invasion by supporters.

Evra has dropped out of contention for the France squad, his 81st and last appearance coming a year ago in a World Cup qualifier against Sweden, and national team coach said after Friday's friendly win: "Decisions have been taken, I'm not here to judge them. He's in a very complicated situation, I wouldn't wish anyone to be in this situation."

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