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rant

Evra summoned after slamming French pundits as 'bums' and 'parasites'

Evra slams World Cup winner Bixente Lizarazu and other pundits in TV outburst.

PATRICE EVRA WILL have to explain himself to French football bosses after he slammed his critics as “bums” and “parasites”.

Former internationals Bixente Lizarazu and Luis Fernandez bore the brunt of Evra’s rant in an interview on TF1 show Telefoot.

The Manchester United defender labelled the pundits as “bums” and “parasites” on Sunday and claimed they are “lying to France” with their criticism.

FFR President Noel Le Graet and coach Didier Deschamps will meet with Evra to seek an explanation for the comments, a statement indicated.

Evra was involved in a national-team bust-up during the 2010 FIFA World Cup in South Africa and believes his critics still hold that against him.

“They want to lie to the people of France, saying Evra is unloved. Arrogant? This is not true,” he said.

“When I meet people in the street they are super friendly. I have no problem with people, just with pundits.

“I took (French pundit) Michel Fernandel on a visit to Old Trafford in 2008. He thought it was like Euro Disney.

“Lizarazu, I do not know what he has against me. He has his reasons. I do not know what Lizarazu has against me.

“He was never voted the best full-back in the world, like I was. With France, he did not shake my hand when I arrived, but he’s like that.

They should stop talking, they go too far. It does not hurt me at all because I am a happy man.

There are many people who would like to be in my place. It does not affect me at all, but the problem is that it can affect my family.

“These bums should stop lying to France. They are parasites.”

Evra and France face a play-off to secure a place in next year’s World Cup in Brazil after finishing second behind Spain in qualifying.

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