Football
Associated Press 9y

Zlatan Ibrahimovic apologises for post-match rant, could face suspension

PARIS -- Paris Saint-Germain's star striker Zlatan Ibrahimovic could be suspended after losing his temper following the champions' 3-2 loss at Bordeaux in the French league on Sunday.

Ibrahimovic vented his anger at decisions which went against his side in Sunday's game. Initially talking to the fourth official, he appeared to have said: "F--ing wake up -- we're not playing in the amateurs. Wake up! I have never seen that in 15 years in my career, such a referee in this s--- country. [You] don't even deserve PSG to be in this country."

The Swedish forward later said he was sorry after the French sports minister asked him to apologise for the comments, which were caught on camera and then shown widely on social media.

Regarding my comments after tonights game; they were not against France or the French people. I spoke about football. I lost the game, I accept that, but I can't accept when the referee doesn't follow the rules. It's not the first time, and I'm sick of it. My sincere apologies if anyone was offended, or took it the wrong way.

A photo posted by IAmZlatan (@iamzlatanibrahimovic) on

He said: "Regarding my comments after tonight's game: they were not against France or the French people. I spoke about football. I lost the game, I accept that, but I can't accept when the referee doesn't follow the rules. It's not the first time, and I'm sick of it. My sincere apologies if anyone was offended, or took it the wrong way."

Sports minister Patrick Kanner later used Twitter to describe Ibrahimovic's clarification as "a welcome apology from this great champion." The Sweden forward scored twice in Sunday's match but could not prevent his team from slumping to its third league defeat this season.

Ibrahimovic, who recently returned from a two-match ban following an altercation with a Saint-Etienne player and a third yellow card in 10 matches, has never been shy of controversy.

After he was sent off for a late challenge on Oscar in the first half of PSG's match at Stamford Bridge on Wednesday in the Champions League, Ibrahimovic described the Chelsea players as a bunch of "babies." All red-cards in UEFA matches are reviewed to possibly extend mandatory one-match bans. But Chelsea coach Jose Mourinho has defended Ibrahimovic, saying he had no ill intent and should be cleared to play in the quarterfinals next month.

PSG advanced on the away goals rule, 3-3 on aggregate.

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