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.
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.
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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.
Source: Soccer - thesun.co.uk
