Nanterre, France — Former France football captain Patrice Evra faces legal consequences after a French court convicted him of family abandonment. Evra, known for his dynamic presence on teams like Manchester United and Juventus, has disputed the claims and has filed an appeal.
The ruling issued from a Nanterre court near Paris imposed a suspended 12-month prison sentence on the 43-year-old athlete and ordered him to pay €4,000 in damages. This decision comes amid Evra’s ongoing divorce proceedings where allegations of financial negligence by his wife surfaced, stating that Evra ceased maintenance payments in 2020 and owes nearly €969,000 in back payments.
Jerome Boursican, Evra’s attorney, described the allegations as contended and has confirmed that his client will challenge the court’s verdict. In his defense, Boursican claimed that Evra has been “more than generous” with his wife throughout their marriage.
On the other side, Nathalie Dubois, representing Evra’s wife, expressed satisfaction with the court’s ruling. “The penalty imposed on Mr. Evra justly reflects the sudden and harsh nature of the abandonment experienced by his wife and two children,” Dubois stated. She added that her client’s struggle and the narrative presented by Evra over the past four years did not sway the judges’ decision.
The court documents reveal that in 2020, Evra left the family home to establish a relationship with a Danish model he met in England, drastically altering the structure of his family life. According to Dubois, this shift was abrupt and left the family in a challenging position.
Evra, who commenced his relationship with his wife at the young age of 15, shares two children with her. The case has garnered attention due to Evra’s celebrity status and the implications of his actions on his personal life.
As of now, the prosecutor’s office in Nanterre has not issued any statements regarding the ruling. Evra’s appeal will be closely watched, as it opens discussions on responsibilities and legal obligations of public figures in their personal conduct.
This ongoing legal battle paints a complex picture of a celebrated athlete whose personal decisions have led to significant public and legal scrutiny. As the case progresses, further details are expected to emerge, possibly shedding light on deeper elements of Evra’s family and financial dealings.