Ibrahimovic on carpet after rant over referee

THE French League’s disciplinary commission will meet later this week to discuss Zlatan Ibrahimovic’s possible ban following his criticism of a match referee that caused an outcry in France.

The PSG striker could be suspended for misconduct after losing his temper following the club’s 3-2 loss at Bordeaux in the French league on Sunday.

Ibrahimovic vented his anger on television at decisions which went against his side, saying in English he has “played 15 years, never seen a referee” like Lionel Jaffredo. He then used an expletive to describe France as he walked past reporters after the game. 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.

The French league said it has received the referee’s game report and will meet on Thursday.

In a video relayed by PSG later yesterday, Ibrahimovic reiterated his apologies but asked the media not to “twist” his comments after National Front leader Marine Le Pen suggested the Sweden international should leave the country if he was not happy in France and asked for disciplinary sanctions.

“When I said it, I was angry,” said Ibrahimovic. “I think the French people are intelligent enough to understand the situation. It’s about football, let’s focus on the football.”

Ibrahimovic scored twice but could not prevent his team losing for the third time this season in the league.

Ibrahimovic, who recently returned from a two-match ban following an altercation with a SaintEtienne 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 last Wednesday in the Champions League, Ibrahimovic called the Chelsea players a bunch of “babies”.

Sunderland parted company with manager Gus Poyet yesterday with the club facing a battle for Premier League survival after a 4-0 home defeat by Aston Villa on Saturday.

Sunderland are 17th in the 20team league with 26 points, one place and one point above the relegation zone with only nine matches left to play. – Sapa-AP and Reuters