While sitting on the bench during France’s friendly versus Serbia, Evra was recorded acquainting his backside with the jersey of fellow France international Mathieu Valbuena. Evra, who captains Manchester United in his day job, then followed up the wipe with a self-induced smell test — though what Evra hoped to learn from said test only he knows.
The act, caught on camera to the detriment of the left back, has sparked controversy back in France. Already on icy ground with French supporters following his role in the players’ mutiny at the 2010 FIFA World Cup, Evra’s act has been called by some to be offensive to both team and country.
“It was disgusting! But this gesture shows above all a real lack of respect towards the blue of France and all that it stands for,” the Mail reports Paris magazine Le 10 Sport said.
In all likelihood it was probably just a joke between teammates (both Franck Ribery and Karim Benzema seemed to get it), or maybe Evra was taking Sheryl Crow‘s advice up to the next level. Either way, Evra, Ribery, and company will be under serious pressure to perform for soccer-crazed France at the upcoming European championships. “Les Blues” face England in their opening game of the tournament and will be looking to make amends for the disaster of 2010.
To see Evra’s now infamous wipe check out the video below.
