Evra summoned after slamming critics

Patrice Evra has been summoned by French Football Federation president Noel Le Graet and coach Didier Deschamps after slamming his critics.

The Manchester United left-back labelled French football pundits as “bums” and “parasites” on Sunday and claimed they are “lying to France” with their criticism.

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

And the FFF has reacted by releasing a statement on their website revealing they will meet with Evra to seek an explanation for his comments.

“Following his remarks in an interview with Telefoot … Noel Le Graet and Didier Deschamps … have decided to ask Patrice Evra to come and explain some comments he made towards some TV pundits,” the statement read.

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 European qualification Group I.