Patrice Evra has hit back at former Monaco team-mate Jerome Rothen after he criticised the former Manchester United defender for his wild celebrations at the Parc des Princes on Wednesday night.
Evra threatened to slap the pundit after being accused of showing a ‘lack of respect’ following the Red Devils’ remarkable victory over Paris Saint-Germain.
United defeated the French champions 3-1 in Paris, scoring a stoppage-time penalty through Marcus Rashford to complete an impressive aggregate comeback.
After the full-time whistle, Evra posted a video on Instagram of his celebrations with current United star Paul Pogba, where the duo mocked PSG’s motto ‘Ici c’est Paris’ (Here, this is Paris) by shouting ‘Ici c’est Manchester’.
He was subsequently criticised in the French press, but the former full-back has now issued an astonishing defence of his actions in a new nine-minute long Instagram video, in which he slams Rothen for his remarks.
Evra said: ‘I was told Jerome said some nasty things about me. I didn’t believe it but then I was shown the video. Your reward, next time I see you, I’m going to slap you in the face.’
He added: ‘These aren’t empty threats. You know we’ll see each other eventually. You were always a salty p***k. I remember when L’Equipe gave you a rating of five and our other teammates got seven, since you were paranoid of the ratings, you would call the journalist and ask: ‘Why didn’t you give me a seven?’
‘Piece of s***. Stop telling bulls***, stop telling lies. Be careful, because we will cross roads eventually. I am sure we will.’
During Evra’s celebration post, he and Pogba can be seen to be surrounded by stony-faced supporters as the home side suffered yet another European humiliation.
Many in the French press took umbrage with Evra’s reaction in the stands, including former France and Monaco team-mate Rothen.
Rothen, who played with Evra between 2002 and 2004, had said: ‘Patrice Evra, who allows himself to make a video like that in the ground, the presidential box at PSG, in front of the Paris supporters, the shareholders of PSG … But you respect who?
‘Let him celebrate, OK. Let me know that he has marked the history of the club, OK. But respect!
‘Go celebrate in the United dressing room. Respect the people in the stadium, don’t jump with joy and disrespect the people who pay to go to these games.
‘F***ing hell, you can’t do that.’
Evra also took time to remind those who criticised him of his success at Manchester United and therefore his right to celebrate the English club’s winning goal.
He added: ‘The whole match there was a well-dressed guy in a suit, sitting behind me and Paul [Pogba] yelling ‘Ici c’est Paris!’ and constantly looking at me.
‘I didn’t say anything until after the game finished, when I recorded a video in which me and Paul were yelling ‘Ici c’est Manchester!’ as revenge.
‘French press think I am an enemy of the state for rooting against PSG. Yellow jacket protests? My fault. PSG’s elimination? My fault. The French press is too focused on my celebrations but I don’t care.’