Patrice Evra breaks silence after getting criminal conviction for posting homophobic abuse online
FORMER Manchester United star Patrice Evra has broken his silence after he was convicted of posting homophobic abuse online.
The 41-year-old filmed an expletive rant where he used discriminatory slurs in 2019 after the Red Devils beat Paris-Saint Germain in the Champions League.
AlamyPatrice Evra has been convicted for homophobic comments made online[/caption]
GrabPatrice Evra made the remarks in 2019[/caption]
The video caused outrage in France and led to two anti-hate organisations, Mousse and Stop Homophobia, making a formal complaint.
Evra referred to PSG as “queers” and said “it’s the men who talk”.
He was convicted earlier this month, being fined £890 and ordered to pay £1780 to campaign groups.
Evra has now had his say, claiming he has learnt a lot and does not want people to associate him with his past words.
He told The Times: “I’m hurt because this doesn’t represent me.
“Yes, I used vulgar language because when I was growing up this was normal. It makes me think I have so much to learn but I will keep learning.
“The police were laughing because they know I didn’t use the words [to be offensive]. They say we don’t have to pursue the case because we know who Patrice is.
“It was a private message, I used words that were used when I was a kid. It was the way I grew up.
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“I used words that were used when I was a kid. It was the way I grew up. The problem is you have to adapt. It is a new world. I apologised straight away because I could see I offended people.
“For four years they fight but they are picking the battle with the wrong guy if you see what I have done all my life, which is to accept everyone for who they are.
“It’s painful because it’s not who I am.
“I have to pay those two associations and I hope they are going to use the money for good things but it is not just about the money, it’s about me being in this situation when I am not that person.
“I made a mistake. In my youth it was not a mistake and now it is. Since that incident I have never used those words.
“I have acknowledged the homophobia problem in the football world so it’s really crazy for me to get this bad press for something I did four years ago.
“It was not because I meant it, I just used those words. I offended people, I apologised many times.
“I lost the case, and I paid them and I am fine with that. But I am not fine with people trying to describe an image I am not.”
Evra grew up in Senegal, where homosexuality is illegal, before moving to France as a young child.
