Former Man Utd Defender Patrice Evra Faces Legal Trouble in France with Suspended Prison Sentence for Abandoning Family
Former Manchester United and France defender Patrice Evra is facing legal trouble after being sentenced to 12 months of suspended prison time. According to Le Parisien, the sentence stems from an outstanding child support debt of nearly €1 million.
Evra was convicted of neglecting his former wife, Sandra Evra, after leaving her to be with his current partner. Despite having been separated since 2020, their divorce proceedings remain incomplete, and they have two children together. The suspended prison sentence will be in effect for two years. In addition to the unpaid child support, Evra is required to cover his ex-wife’s legal costs and pay €4,000 in damages for “emotional distress.”
Evra and his lawyer are currently appealing the court’s decision. His football career spanned two decades, during which he made 379 appearances for Manchester United from 2005 to 2014 and was a key member of the team that won the Premier League and UEFA Champions League double in the 2007/08 season. Evra also boasts seven league titles from his time with Manchester United and Juventus.
After retiring from professional football, Evra worked as a pundit for ITV and Amazon, completed coaching training at United, and joined an investment group to purchase Portuguese club CF Estrela da Amadora.
This legal issue is not Evra’s first run-in with the French courts. In 2023, he was fined for homophobic comments made during an altercation at Parc des Princes following Manchester United’s victory over Paris Saint-Germain in the UEFA Champions League. Since then, Evra has made statements supporting the acceptance of LGBTQ+ players and has paid damages as ordered by the court for anti-hate campaigns.
Evra’s suspended prison sentence has sparked mixed reactions from the public. However, the former player continues to assert his innocence and is determined to fight to clear his name. His recent actions and statements reflect a shift in his views on social issues, particularly regarding LGBTQ+ rights, but this current legal challenge is sure to be a significant test for him.