Zlatan Ibrahimovic(credit:
Jan S0L0)
AC Milan forward Zlatan Ibrahimovic has been handed a three-match ban for swearing at linesman at the weekend.
The Sweden international was shown his second yellow card in as many games during Milan’s 2-1 victory at Fiorentina this past weekend.
Ibrahimovic claimed his comments were aimed at himself following some poor play, but that was not enough to avoid a suspension as he was punished for an “offensive remark”.
He said: “I was angry with myself after losing possession. I made a comment to myself - it was not directed at the referee or his assistant.
“I ask for forgiveness from everyone. I left the pitch without making a scene.
“I was looking at the officials as they were in front of me, and I did not have a gripe with him.
“It was not the best time to be getting a red card, as I was returning from a suspension.”
Milan are currently three points clear of second-placed Napoli at the top of Serie A, and Ibrahimovic will now miss league games against Sampdoria and Brescia as well as the first leg of their Coppa Italia semi-final tie against Palermo.