Patrice Evra sent off for 'aiming kick at Marseille fan'

Marseille defender Patrice Evra has been sent off before Thursday's Europa League game at Vitoria de Guimaraes for appearing to kick a fan.

The 36-year-old had been named as a substitute for the game in Portugal but was sent back to the dressing rooms before kickoff.

During the warm-up, Evra was involved in an argument with some of Marseille's travelling fans who were apparently aiming negative chants at him.

When some of the supporters began approaching the pitch, the rest of the Marseille team ran over, and Evra appeared to aim a high kick over the advertising boards towards a fan standing on the other side.

Patrice Evra's assault on a fan after suffering 30 minutes of pre-match verbal abuse from Marseille support - video. pic.twitter.com/DtOoilZhRd

— Get French Football (@GFFN) 2 November 2017

Referee Tamas Borgan immediately showed Evra a red card, leaving Marseille manager Rudi García with just six substitutes to choose from for the game.

Since the Europa League's rebranding in 2009, the incident marks the first time a player has been sent off before the start of a match.