Former Manchester United star Patrice Evra condemned for ‘homophobic insults’
Patrice Evra of Manchester United celebrates victory and winning the Premier League title after the Barclays Premier League match between Manchester United and Aston Villa at Old Trafford on April 22, 2013 in Manchester, England. (Alex Livesey/Getty)
French football club Paris Saint-Germain has condemned anti-gay comments from former Manchester United captain Patrice Evra.
The former defender posted a video to social media after Manchester United’s 3-1 victory in a March 6 match against Paris Saint-Germain.
In the clip, he said: “Paris, you are some faggots, some faggots, I’m telling you. We put our D team and we did you.
“Some kids played – they used to clean my boots. They don’t even have sperm. Paris, you are some pussies.”
Patrice Evra condemned by Paris Saint-Germain over anti-gay comments
Evra, who played for Manchester United from 2006 to 2014, faced condemnation from Paris Saint-Germain over the comments.
In a statement, the club said: “Paris Saint-Germain condemns Patrice Evra’s homophobic insults aimed at the club, its representatives and its former players in a video released yesterday on social media.
“These remarks profoundly shocked the club, which is particularly committed to the values of respect and inclusiveness.”
Paris Saint-Germain added: “The fight against homophobia and all forms of discrimination is at the heart of PSG’s actions and values.”
Patrice Evra: The media are trying to put me down
After the club’s statement, Evra posted a video to social media claiming that the incident was “a massive, massive misunderstanding.”
He said the video was made “as a joke” and said that he is “not homophobic.”
The player added: “If I offended someone, or I hurt someone, I really apologise, but it’s not my intention, they [the media] are just trying to put me down.
“I stand for equality, you have to be free, whatever you do in life, I would never judge anyone.”
He added: “Only God can judge me.”
Patrice Evra of Manchester United tries to keep the ball in play during the Barclays Premier League match between Manchester United and Cardiff City at Old Trafford on January 28, 2014 in Manchester, England. (Michael Regan/Getty)
Manchester United has declined to comment on the row. Evra does not currently play for the club.
Earlier this month, Polish football club Legia Warsaw condemned an anti-gay banner that was displayed by fans at a football match.
The club distanced itself from the banner, which was unfurled at Legia Warsaw’s Polish Army stadium during a Friday (March 1) match against Miedź Legnica.
In a statement to PinkNews, a spokesperson for Legia Warsaw said that its stadium should not be used “to demonstrate any political or ideological ideas.”
The spokesperson said: “[That stadium] is an arena of sports competition whose fundamental value is respect.
“It is also one of the most important values of our Club, this is why we critically assess all forms of behaviour that are contradictory to it.”
