Patrice Evra does an Eric Cantona: Kicks fan before kick-off; watch video

Marseille said after the game that Patrice Evra had been sent off over "an altercation with supporters during the warm-up".

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Patrice Evra was involved in an altercation with Marseille fans before the Europa League game. (Source: AP)

Patrice Evra was sent off on Thursday night after kicking a fan of his own team prior to a Europa League game. The Marseille defender and other players were involved in a confrontation before going on to lose to Portuguese side Vitoria Guimaraes. The former Manchester United and Juventus player was identified as kicking a fan in the head.

Not named in the starting XI, Marseille did start with eleven players but their bench strength was reduced to six players following the red card even before the first ball was kicked. UEFA didn’t add to the case following the match but further action may be handed out on Friday.

French newspaper L’Equipe reported that the supporters had been jeering Evra for about half an hour while the players warmed up on the sidelines. The Frenchman initially tried to control the situation but talking to the fans but it escelated quickly.

“Pat has experience and he must not react, it’s obvious,” Marseille coach Rudi Garcia said. “Patrice is a more-than-experienced player. You can’t respond to insults, as bad as they are and as incredible as they might be. He must learn to keep his cool.”

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— Arsène's Son 🎈 (@hughwizzy) November 2, 2017

Marseille full back Patrice Evra was sent off before kick off for this clash with fans in Guimaraes #OM pic.twitter.com/ywgvY3BzHk

— Andy Kerr (@AndyKerrtv) November 2, 2017

The incident brought back memories of the infamous “Kung-Fu Kick” by Eric Cantona during Manchester United’s game against Crystal Palace at in January 1995. The hot-headed Frenchman was banned for nine months by the English Football Association for the incident, which took place as he left the pitch following a red card.

One video showed Evra climb over the advertising hoardings to talk to fans behind the goal. A number of supporters jumped down from the seating area, leading to a scuffle with stewards and officials from the Ligue 1 side. Other players climbed over the hoardings to join in the altercation. Another video showed a Marseille player aiming a kick at the fans as the scuffling continued. Local media identified the player as Evra.