Football: Patrice Evra sacked by Marseille, cops 8-month ban for gongfu kick at fan

Patrice Evra was banned from all European tournaments until June 30, 2018 after kicking a Marseille supporter in the face. PHOTO: AFP

ZURICH (REUTERS) - Olympique Marseille full-back Patrice Evra has been banned from European club football for the rest of the season, Uefa said on Friday (Nov 10), and is leaving the French Ligue 1 club by mutual consent as his career looks to set to come to an ignominious end.

The former France international was sent off before the kick-off in Marseille's Nov 2 Europa League match at Portugal's Vitoria Guimaraes, where he had been named as a substitute, after appearing to aim a kick at a fan who was at pitchside during the warmup.

The 36-year-old has been suspended from all Uefa club competition matches until June 30.

In a statement on their website ( www.om.net), Marseille said he was leaving the club.

"He has done something irreparable by reacting to shameful provocations from a few individuals," the statement read.

Evra, who started his professional career in 1998, played for Monaco, Manchester United, Juventus and Marseille, winning five English Premier League and two Italian Serie A titles as well as one Champions League title with Manchester United in 2008.

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