Patrice Evra has had his Marseille contract terminated with immediate effect following the French defender’s seven-month ban from UEFA competitions for violent conduct.
The former Manchester United full-back was dismissed prior to the start of the Europa League clash with Vitoria earlier this month after clashing with a Marseille fan.
UEFA announced today that the 36-year-old defender had been suspended from all European club matches until June 30 and fined €10,000. Marseille then promptly issued a statement that said the player and club had mutually agreed to “end their working relationship”.
Marseille, who were also fined €25,000 for a pitch invasion by supporters, originally suspended Evra and criticised his inappropriate response to what the club described as “hateful attacks” from fans.
A statement published on om.net read: “Patrice Evra has been exemplary on the field and in the locker room. He played an important role in reviving the team and in the improvement of results.
“However, on November 2 in Guimaraes he committed an irreparable act by responding to provocations from a handful of individuals. Nothing justified such a reaction, especially from a senior player whose attitude both on and off the pitch should inspire the youngest of us.
“In that context, the conditions were no longer right for Patrice Evra to accomplish his mission here with serenity or, above all, effectively. Both parties agreed to end the collaboration by mutual consent.
“This incident also highlighted the unacceptable attitude of a small number of people who uttered insults and threats of violence towards the player and his family before contemptuously invading the pitch.
“Such behaviour, which exposes the club to sanctions, has no place in the stands of a football stadium and at Marseille in particular.”