Patrice Evra's sister dies aged 56 after 20-year cancer battle with Man Utd legend to miss Europa League final
PATRICE EVRA will miss the Europa League final to attend his sister's funeral.
Evra's beloved Manchester United will bid to secure Champions League qualification with victory over their Prem rivals Tottenham in Bilbao on Wednesday night.
4
Manchester Unuted legend Patrice Evra will miss the Europa League final
Credit: REUTERS
4
The Frenchman will miss the match in Bilbao following the death of his sister, who had battled cancer for 20 years
Credit: AP
4
Evra announced the passing of his late sister on Instagram
Credit: INSTAGRAM@PATRICE.EVRA
Evra was set to be in attendance in Bilbao but will miss the match due to the death of his sister, who has lost her 20-year battle with cancer.
The Frenchman said: "Hi guys. I was supposed to come to Bilbao tomorrow for the final in person to show you support, sharing my positive energy.
"But unfortunately, I have to go to Paris for the funeral of my sister on the same day as the final.
"She was 56, fighting against the cancer for 20 years."
A heartbroken Evera then urged Ruben Amorim's troops to show the same strength his late sister showed to end their dismal season on a high.
He continued: "Resilience, fighting. That's what I want from you guys tomorrow. Just fight, bleed for this shirt.
"For the fans, for the staff, for the people in Manchester, for the fans all around the world, there is no excuse. This is your duty tomorrow.
"I think your coach is someone I support, someone I believe in. Even if we win or we lose, give something guys.
Most read in Football
4
Patrice Evra issued a rallying cry to Ruben Amorim's troops after revealing his bereavement
Credit: INSTAGRAM@PATICE.EVRA
"It's gonna be a tough game. Tottenham also has a lot to lose.
"They are in the same position in the league like us.
Patrice Evra gives update on MMA debut and reveals Luis Suarez's response to fight challenge
"They didn't win a trophy, so this is a massive chance for them. But this is no excuse. We are Man United.
"Do you know how many fans gonna travel around the world and believe they're gonna celebrate after the game because they believe in you guys, no matter what.
"Because we can do it guys. So like I say, bleed for this shirt, the history.
"Think about the people, your family or whatever, there is no way other than to win.
"Don't be selfish. It's a qualification in the Champions League, so we can prepare for the future next year.
"So guys, you know, I will be far away. I'm counting on you."
Unfortunately, I have to go to Paris for the funeral of my sister on the same day as the final."
Patrice Evra on Instagram
Evra receives scores of condolences after announcing his bereavement.
One of his followers wrote: "So sorry for your loss."
Another said: "So sorry for your loss, Patrice. Sending you and yours lots of love and prayers!"
And another said: "My deepest condolences."
Read more on the Irish Sun
One remarked: "Sorry for your loss, legend."
Another chimed in: "Sorry for your loss, unc Pat."
Hashtags
Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles
The Irish Sun
39 minutes ago
- The Irish Sun
Champions League giants could be hit with three-month stadium ban for refusing to let Cristiano Ronaldo play there
PORTUGUESE giants Benfica could be hit with a three-month stadium ban and a fine after they threatened to refuse to host Portugal national team matches. 3 Benfica face a three month stadium ban Credit: Getty 3 The club have threatened to deny Cristiano Ronaldo and the Portuguese national team access to their stadium amid complaints about officiating in Portugal Credit: Shutterstock Editorial The Champions League club lashed out at "serious events" in the late rounds of the Portuguese Cup and Liga Portugal season that saw them miss out on both trophies to Sporting Lisbon. Benfica's statement requested disciplinary reviews against VAR officials from the Portuguese Cup final and the immediate release of audio recordings from the match. While they also detailed that they would inform the FPF that they will not host national team matches at the Estadio da Luz "until integrity prevails in domestic competitions" - barring That vow could prove costly to the two-time Champions League winners, who face a ban and a fine if they follow through with the threat. READ MORE IN FOOTBALL That's because FPF rules state that any club that refuses to make their stadium available to the national team "without justified cause" will be subject to a penalty. That penalty consists of a stadium ban running from one to three months and fine. At present no action has been taken against Benfica. Benfica narrowly missed out on the Primeira Liga title by two points following a 1-1 draw with Braga on the final day of the season. Most read in Football Benfica's requests Take a look at the action that Benfica have requested is taken following their complaint about officiating in Portugal... To request disciplinary review against the refereeing and VAR team of the Cup Final. To request disciplinary review against players Matheus Reis and Maxi Araújo for the multiple attacks on player Andrea Belotti. Demand the immediate release of the audio recordings between the Referee and VAR from the Portuguese Cup Final, as well as the scores given to them. Make a statement to FIFA, UEFA and IFAB regarding the illicit application of the VAR protocol in Portugal, which has called into question integrity. Demand that the newly elected Refereeing Council take a public position, presenting concrete measures and solutions to correct its actions, under penalty of not being able to continue in office. Suspend participation in the Centralisation League working groups and request an urgent hearing with the Government, informing it that, at this time, the conditions to move forward with this process are not being met. Inform the Portuguese Football Federation that, until integrity prevails in domestic competitions, Sport Lisboa e Benfica will be unavailable to host matches of the National Team in its stadium. Sport Lisboa e Benfica demands that the next season be decided on the pitch, in a transparent manner, which did not happen in the sports season that is now finished. We always assume our responsibilities. We demand that those who oversee and govern Portuguese football also assume theirs. CASINO SPECIAL - BEST CASINO BONUSES FROM £10 DEPOSITS While they fell to a controversial 3-1 defeat to Sporting in the Potuguese Cup final too, conceding in the 11th minute of injury time before shipping two more goals in extra-time. Club president Rui Costa slammed the officials after the conclusion of the cup final. Cristiano Ronaldo Jr, 14, given dad's number and copies iconic pose as he makes Portugal debut with grandma watching He said: "Benfica lost, I accept that responsibility, but we have to look at Portuguese football. We definitely have to look at Portuguese football." Adding: "So, let those in charge of refereeing, let those in charge of the referees analyse this game and see how a VAR that can cancel out two situations for Benfica can't see two plays like this. "He's probably going to be rewarded now and become the leader of VAR in "I repeat: you've rarely heard me talk about referees, but there are situations that go beyond that. I've tried, I've tried to be a president of an institution the size of Benfica that is responsible and tries to help Portuguese football in this regard. "But there are situations that go beyond all limits, because these aren't mistakes that we should be discussing here: whether it was a foul, whether it wasn't a foul, whether it was a penalty, whether it wasn't a penalty. "We're talking about two clear, obvious assaults, not seen either by the linesman, who was standing next to the play, or by the referee, or by the VAR." Benfica are currently preparing for the Club World Cup. 3 Club President Rui Costa didn't hold back in his assessment of the Portuguese officials Credit: Getty
The Irish Sun
an hour ago
- The Irish Sun
Inside story of Ange Postecoglou's Tottenham sacking with Daniel Levy rift that worsened during Europa League run
SO, Daniel Levy did kill off his main character in the second season finale of the Ange Postecoglou show. Postecoglou himself warned that could be the case just a day after teasing fans at Spurs' Europa League-winning parade that he could stay on for a third campaign with a prestige-telly analogy. Advertisement 6 Ange Postecoglou has left Spurs Credit: Shutterstock Editorial 6 It comes despite him ending the club's 17 year trophy drought Credit: PA 6 Postecoglou does not get the chance to deliver on his third season promise Credit: Reuters The 59-year-old had told hundreds of thousands of delirious supporters lining the streets outside the Tottenham Hotspur Stadium that in 'all the best television series, It went down a storm, with many of those who had wanted the Aussie out for the woeful league form now fully behind him after he had ended the club's 17-year trophy drought. Their hope had been that Levy would perform a similarly emotional U-turn, and NOT go through with his pre-final plan of wielding the axe whatever the How can he possibly ditch the guy who has delivered our first piece of silverware since the League Cup in 2008, and the first European trophy in 41 years, they asked themselves. Advertisement READ MORE IN FOOTBALL In fairness, Levy did pause for thought, albeit briefly. But Postecoglou always knew the chances of the long-serving Spurs supremo doing an about-face were slim, given how their So it will have come as no surprise to the former Celtic treble-winner - even if it did to millions of Tottenham fans across the globe. Levy turned to Postecoglou in the summer of 2023, after being snubbed by Arne Slot who had decided to stay at Feyenoord for one more season ahead of his switch to Liverpool. Advertisement Most read in Football Breaking JOIN SUN VEGAS: GET £50 BONUS Postecoglou even described himself as 'the last man standing' in the race to succeed Antonio Conte. But the Athens-born Aussie, who had never previously managed in Europe's top five major leagues before, got off to a stunning start by taking 26 points from his first 30 available. That was despite the club selling their record goal-scorer Harry Kane to Bayern Munich on the eve of the season. Advertisement After an unbeaten first ten Prem games, Fans took to singing a version of Robbie Williams' Angels regularly after matches, with the key lyrics altered to 'I'm loving Big Ange instead'. Levy seemed giddy with excitement too, proudly declaring at a fans' forum in September 2023 that 'we've got our Tottenham back' in reference to Postecoglou's thrilling style of play. 6 Daniel Levy has wielded his axe again Credit: GETTY Advertisement 6 Fans and players appeared with him after the Europa League success Credit: Getty But then came THAT Having had two men sent off and having lost James Maddison and Micky van de Ven to serious injuries, Spurs, amazingly, continued to attack and almost nicked a 2-2 draw. But then Nicolas Jackson completed what was dubbed the worst hat-trick ever in injury-time - before Spurs were treated to a standing ovation by their fans as they left the pitch. Advertisement It was unprecedented - yet after that game, things were never the same. Teams started to wise up to Spurs' style of inverted full-backs and clever cut-backs - as well as exposing the gaps they left at the back. Eric Dier, who left to join Kane at Bayern Munich in January, later claimed that Postecoglou 'really doesn't do barely any tactical work, what he does is every single training drill from Monday to Friday is drawn up to represent the way he wants to play.' Van de Ven and Maddison being sidelined disrupted the team's rhythm and they ended up being pipped by Aston Villa to fourth spot and Champions League qualification. Advertisement Injuries decimated Postecoglou's squad in his second season - with the Aussie's intense pressing style accused of being a contributing factor - and the league campaign began to unravel. Raw teenage talent had mainly been added in the summer - although £65million was spent on striker Dominic Solanke - and it told. Postecoglou hoped for more experience to be added in January but out of the three arrivals, only Kevin Danso fitted that description. Spurs went on to finish 17th after losing 22 league games - the most a Prem team has ever managed and NOT been relegated - including Advertisement The AngeOut army grew among the fanbase, who had been irked by his misreading the previous season of their desire to lose against Manchester City to deny rivals Arsenal the title. In another clash, Postecoglou mockingly 6 Postecoglou appeared to cup his ears at fans against Chelsea Credit: Getty But all was forgiven when he ended the trophy curse in Bilbao. Advertisement Ironically, it was done in a defensive style akin to predecessor Jose Mourinho, with the team having just 27 per cent possession and completing just 184 passes. It was That feat was not enough though to convince the higher-ups, who had not agreed with Postecoglou's decision to prioritise the Europa League from February onwards. It is understood the club began talking to representatives of other managers from the start of the year, underlining the shaky ground Postecoglou has been on for some time. Advertisement Now it has collapsed from underneath him, to his disappointment as he felt the job in N17 was not done. But at least he walks away a hero, having finally changed the narrative to one of rare trophy success during the silverware-starved Levy story of the last 25 years.
The Irish Sun
an hour ago
- The Irish Sun
Marcus Rashford trains on his own in Cannes after Man Utd outcast was spotted getting close to stunning padel star
MARCUS RASHFORD has been spotted training on his own in the south of France as he prepares to reunite with Manchester United. The 27-year-old spent the second half of the season on loan from his boyhood club at 5 Marcus Rashford has shared pictures of himself in training Credit: INSTAGRAM @marcusrashford 5 Rashford is trying to get in shape ahead of pre-season Credit: INSTAGRAM @marcusrashford 5 The attacker was seen taking some advice from his trainer Credit: INSTAGRAM @marcusrashford 5 Rashford was seen 'growing close' to semi-pro padel star Jaki Palm While there he impressed, scoring four goals and adding six assists, but he missed the final four games of the season through a hamstring injury. That knock also kept Rashford from being named in Earlier this month the And since then Rashford has shared pictures of himself getting back to training on his Instagram page. READ MORE IN FOOTBALL Rashford shared a picture of him training on some decking with a dreamy ocean view as he lifted a leg up for balance. Another snap depicted him in the middle of a run, while a third showed him taking some advice from his trainer. He captioned the post: "Everyday hussle," alongside a battery emoji, while the location of it was tagged as Cannes, France. Rashford is said to have met Jaki when he visited Dubai in April to address his hamstring issue. Most read in Football BEST ONLINE CASINOS - TOP SITES IN THE UK A source said: 'Marcus went to have rehab for a hamstring injury in Dubai and was introduced to Jaki. 'She then joined him with his mates and another woman in St Tropez for a holiday. It's all very casual but Jaki has told her friends she's grown close to him." Aston Villa star Marcus Rashford hits the race track as he works out on holiday in St Tropez Rashford's future is up in the air at the moment. It is unclear whether Aston Villa intend to trigger the £40million purchase clause inserted into their loan transfer deal with the Red Devils. However, European heavyweights Sources close to Rashford told exclusively told SunSport he doesn't see a future at Old Trafford under Amorim froze Rashford out of the Man Utd squad in December after he allegedly went on a night out before the Manchester derby. Rashford has denied that allegation. However, Amorim appears to be sticking to his guns and is prepared to sell the Carrington graduate to fund his rebuild of the squad. 5
