In a career that has seen him lift over 20 pieces of domestic silverware, #Patrice Evra can now add another award to that list, becoming the first player in the history of the #europa league to be sent off before the game had even begun.

In what will be remembered as the most shocking sending off of the year, the footage appears to show the former Manchester United defender attempting to kick one of his own fans in the head during a violent confrontation between #Marseille's players and their travelling supporters.

Cantona esc?

Not the first French international with ties to Manchester United to be involved in a similar situation, Evra's reaction brought back memories of Eric Cantona and his memorable kung-fu kick at Selhurst Park in 1995.

Tensions began to boil 30 minutes before kick-off when sections of Marseille's travelling support aimed their abuse at the French left-back. This season, Marseille's supporters have been unimpressed with Evra's performances and decided to take their grievances one step further on Thursday night. Several members of Les Phoceens' supporters managed to break down security barriers at the Estadio D. Afonso Henriques in order to personally confront the five-time Premier League champion.

It has also been reported that Evra was allegedly receiving racial abuse from his own supporters prior to the altercation. The 36-year-old had been listed as a substitute for Marseille's match with Portuguese opponents Vitoria S.C.

After several players were able to remove Evra from the explosive situation, the referee was left with no option than to show the veteran defender a red card before the whistle had even been blown.

It would turn out to be a bad omen for Rudi Garcia's Marseille side, although Evra's assault may steal the headlines, Marseille would ultimately lose the game 1-0 and Les Phoceens missed the chance to move up to the top spot in Group I.

More than a kick?

Adding more fuel to the fire, the second set of footage has emerged prior to Evra's kick. The new video evidence shows the French international hurdling over the advertisement hoardings and marching towards the oncoming I'OM supporters, demanding they come down and face him.

As one fan sprints towards the Marseille star, Evra punches the assailant before he is dragged away by his team-mates.

Marseille boss Rudi Garcia has expressed his opinions on the subject by acknowledging a player of such vast experience should not be dragged into battles with petty fans, Garcia said after the game - "Pat has experience and he must not react. Patrice is a more than experienced player and we cannot respond to insults so low and so incredible because they come from our own supporters".

For Evra, this was the first time that he had been sent off since 2005 when he was plying his trade at French rivals, Monaco. It almost seems a certainty that both Evra and Marseille will face a lengthy ban handed down by UEFA, while Evra's own future at the Ligue 1 club will undoubtedly be under fierce scrutiny.
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