The former Manchester United defender Patrice Evra was sexually abused by a teacher when he was 13, the Frenchman has alleged in an interview with the Times.
The abuse is detailed in Evra’s upcoming autobiography, I Love This Game. Evra, 40, said that although it was difficult to speak about the abuse in an interview, it was even more challenging to break it to his mother, who was told about the incidents only two weeks ago.
“Of course, she was devastated,” said Evra, who was capped 81 times by France. “It was a tough moment for me. I have still to tell a few of my brothers and sisters and close friends.
“I don’t want people to feel pity. It’s a difficult situation. A mother does not expect to hear this from their own child.
“It was a big shock for her. A lot of anger. She said she was sorry. She said: ‘You must not put it in your book, it’s private Patrice,’ but that’s when I say: ‘Mum, it’s not about me, it’s about other kids,’ then she says OK, she understands.”
Evra added that he had not thought about pressing charges, but his mother had encouraged him to sue.
Evra joined United in 2006 from Monaco, winning five Premier League titles and the Champions League. He later played for Juventus, Marseille and West Ham before retiring.
