Marseille star Patrice Evra sent off for KICKING fan in the head before Europa League tie vs Vitoria de Guimaraes

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Patrice Evra was sent off before Marseille's Europa League tie after kicking out at one of his own side's fans during the team's warm-up.

The former Manchester United star was preparing for his side's group stage tie at Portuguese side Vitoria de Guimaraes when the players were confronted pitch-side by the travelling contingent.

Evra was subjected to jeers from the away end for about half an hour before the altercation, witnesses said.

Fans reportedly yelled "Leave the OM!" and "You suck!" before calling him names and shouting other, as yet undisclosed, insults.

The player went to confront them, inspiring dozens of supporters to leap over the barriers and meet him face-to-face. From there, the situation deteriorated quickly.

Patrice Evra kicked a Marseille fan in the head after being confronted before the game

Evra appeared to spark the confrontation after calling fans out and throwing a punch

Evra can be seen executing a Kung-Fu style kick on the Marseille fan, leading to his red card

Footage shows Evra vaulting advertising hoardings and demanding that the fans join him pitch-side. As one angry fan sprinted towards him, the defender instinctively put out his fist and landed a punch on the aggressor's face.

Evra was quickly pulled away by his team-mates but sneaked around the group of players and executed a kung-fu style kick on an unsuspecting supporter. He was immediately sent off by match official Tamas Bognar.

The 36-year-old has been handed an initial one-match ban for the red card, while his charge for violent conduct will come in front of a UEFA hearing on November 10.  

The dust-up was reminiscent of the 1995 Eric Cantona incident. Manchester United’s Cantona, sent off at Selhurst Park, launched himself at a Crystal Palace fan on his way to the dressing room.

Marseille players tried but failed to separate Evra from the fans as he sneaked a way through

Evra is escorted from the pitch after appearing to kick out at a Marseille fan

Evra was seen taking  photos with young fans as he took his seat in the stands to watch the tie

Evra was due to be on the bench for the game meaning Marseille started with 11 men, but his red card left García with just six substitutes to choose from. 

Speaking about the incident after the game, Marseille manager Rudi Garcia said: 'We'll see what happened. As far as I'm concerned, I have information, but I did not see anything because I was in the dressing room. 

'On the other hand, I can say two things: Patrice, given his experience, must not respond to provocations. What must also be said is that the supporter in question is not a supporter of OM. 

'When we are, we do not insult one of his players. But once again, Pat has experience and he should not have reacted. I found myself with one less solution (from the bench).'

Evra now faces comparisons to former Manchester United striker Eric Cantona

Evra was banned for four games against clashing with a Chelsea groundsman in 2008

Minutes after the incident, Evra was seen in the stands of the stadium taking pictures with young fans, capping a rather strange evening for the former France international.  

It is the first time in Europa League history, since it's rebranding in 2009, that a player has been sent off before the start of a match. 

Marseille released a statement on Friday morning, condemning both the fan and the actions of Evra.

It read: 'Marseille have noted the incident between an individual and Patrice Evra during the warm-up ahead of the match against Guimaraes.

'An internal investigation is being conducted to establish all those responsible.

'In any case, a professional player must keep his cool in the face of provocation and insults, as hard and injustified as they are. Similarly, the club can only condemn any destructive behaviour by so-called supporters who insult their own players when everyone should be supporting their team instead.'

Evra accused Luis Suarez of racially abusing him during United's clash with Liverpool in 2011

Marseille went on to lose the game 1-0 but remain in second place in their group with six points, two behind Red Bull Salzburg but two ahead of both Vitoria and Konyaspor with two matchdays remaining. 

It is not Evra’s first scuffle. In 2008 he was banned for four games after clashing with a Chelsea groundsman. 

The 36-year-old has already caused controversy off the field this week after filming a disturbing video of himself licking a fake machete while covered in fake blood and posting it on Instagram.