Former Manchester United left-back Patrice Evra’s court case for allegedly making homophobic insults was on Monday adjourned until December 15.
Evra, 41, who retired from playing three years ago after also winning 81 caps for France, faced charges brought by two charities “for public insults towards a group of people based on their sexual orientation”.
On Monday, the court granted the adjournment request of Evra’s lawyer Jerome Boursican who argued he had been appointed “recently” and learned of the elements of the case a few days before the hearing.
“It’s intolerable,” lamented Julien Pontes, spokesperson for the anti-homophobia group Rouge Direct, at the end of the hearing.
“A few weeks before the World Cup in Qatar, we were waiting a judicial message,” he said, believing that the conviction of a former France captain would be “a strong symbol”.
Absent from court on Monday, Evra is being judged for comments he made on social media after United’s Champions League win over Paris Saint-Germain in March 2019.
“Paris, you are gays… Here, it’s men that talk,” Evra said.
In May, an investigating judge said Evra had spoken in a “private sphere for the production of a video which was then published on Snapchat”.
Evra faces a potential fine of 1,500 euros (1,450 dollars).
World Cup News
-
FIFA World Cup
/ 1 month agoSon scores but Thailand hold South Korea in World Cup qualifier
Son Heung-min scored but South Korea were held 1-1 at home by Thailand in...
By AFP -
FIFA World Cup
/ 1 month agoJapan-N. Korea World Cup game to stay in Pyongyang, JFA says
Japan’s World Cup qualifier against North Korea will be played in Pyongyang as planned...
By AFP -
FIFA World Cup
/ 2 months agoGerman ex-FA bosses on trial over World Cup tax evasion
Three German ex-top football officials went on trial on Monday in a 13.7-million-euro ($14.8...
By AFP -
FIFA World Cup
/ 2 months agoSaudi Arabia formally launches bid for 2034 World Cup
Saudi Arabia formally launched its bid to host the 2034 World Cup on Friday,...
By AFP