In a troubling development, yet another former Manchester United player has found himself on the wrong side of the law due to family abandonment. Just two months ago, ex-Manchester United left-back Patrice Evra experienced a sharp and very public fall from grace when he was handed a 12-month prison sentence in France. This sentence came as a result of his failure to fulfill his financial obligations toward his family, an offense the French legal system takes very seriously. According to French media outlet Le Parisien, Evra is accused of owing nearly €1 million in alimony to his ex-wife, Sandra Evra, a sum he has allegedly evaded paying for some time. The court, sitting in the Nanterre suburb of Paris, found him guilty of what they referred to as “abandonment” of his former spouse and their two children, who are now 19 and 10 years old.
The case against Evra marks a significant downturn in the life of the once-celebrated footballer, whose career was marked by numerous successes on the pitch. His legal woes serve as a reminder of the responsibilities that come with such success and the serious consequences of neglecting those responsibilities. The ruling against Evra underscores the importance the French legal system places on the duty of care that individuals owe to their families, especially in cases involving the welfare of children.
Unfortunately, Evra’s situation is not an isolated incident among former Manchester United players. Recently, another ex-Red Devil has also been sentenced to prison for similar reasons. This time, it is former midfielder Anderson who has been sentenced by a family court in the southern Brazilian city of Porto Alegre. Anderson, who once graced the midfield at Old Trafford, now faces jail time unless he pays the £45,000 he owes in child support for his nine children. The ruling was made last week, but the news only became public on September 10, 2024.
The court’s decision stipulates that Anderson could be imprisoned for 30 days at Irmao Miguel Dario Prison unless he settles the outstanding amount. However, the former footballer has been given an option to serve his sentence in a ‘semi-open’ regime. This arrangement would allow him to work or study outside the prison during the day, returning only to sleep at night, according to reports from the well-regarded Brazilian news website GZH.
This latest chapter in Anderson’s life adds to a growing list of controversies surrounding the player. Four years ago, Anderson was embroiled in a serious legal matter when he was accused of laundering £4.7 million through cryptocurrencies. The Brazilian newspaper Globo named him as one of eight individuals under investigation by a state prosecutor for involvement in a scheme designed to divert funds from the state stock exchange. This past allegation, coupled with his current legal troubles, paints a picture of a man whose post-football career has been mired in legal and financial difficulties.
The cases of Evra and Anderson highlight the often tumultuous transition from the world of professional football to life after the game. Both players, who once enjoyed the adulation of fans and the rewards of a successful career, now face significant legal challenges that threaten to overshadow their on-field achievements. These incidents serve as cautionary tales for current and future footballers, emphasizing the importance of maintaining personal and financial responsibilities even after the final whistle has blown on their playing days.
The recent legal troubles of former Manchester United players Patrice Evra and Anderson underscore a troubling trend among ex-footballers struggling to manage their personal and financial responsibilities after retirement. Both players, who were once celebrated for their accomplishments on the field, now find themselves facing serious legal consequences for failing to fulfill their obligations toward their families.
**Patrice Evra**, a former left-back for Manchester United and a French international, has been handed a 12-month prison sentence in France for failing to pay nearly €1 million in alimony to his ex-wife, Sandra Evra. The French court, based in Nanterre, cited “abandonment” of his ex-spouse and their two children as the grounds for his conviction. The ruling reflects the French legal system’s strict stance on family support and responsibilities, particularly concerning the welfare of children. This case has brought to light Evra’s financial neglect and has tarnished his post-retirement image.
**Anderson**, another former Manchester United player, has also been sentenced to prison in Brazil for failing to pay £45,000 in child support for his nine children. A family court in Porto Alegre issued the sentence, giving him the option to serve it in a “semi-open” regime, which would allow him to work or study during the day and return to prison at night. Anderson’s financial woes are compounded by his past involvement in a legal case where he was accused of laundering £4.7 million through cryptocurrencies. This previous allegation, alongside his current child support case, paints a picture of a troubled post-football life.
Both Evra and Anderson’s situations highlight the challenges athletes face in managing their lives after their playing careers end. Despite their on-field successes, their legal and financial missteps threaten to overshadow their achievements and serve as cautionary tales for current and future footballers about the importance of maintaining personal and financial responsibilities beyond their sports careers.
