AC Milan striker Zlatan Ibrahimovic has been handed a three-game suspension for being sent off against Fiorentina.
The 29-year-old, who is his side’s leading scorer with 14 Serie A goals this season, was given a straight red card for dissent in Milan’s 2-1 away win on Sunday, although he denies swearing at a linesman.
The temperamental Swede was making his first appearance back after serving a two-game ban for striking Bari defender Marco Rossi last month.
Ibrahimovic had already been booked in the Fiorentina match and would have been facing a one-game ban, but his straight red meant his penalty was increased to three matches.
“I lost the ball and was angry with myself, not the assistant referee. I was talking to myself,” Ibrahimovic said.
“I didn’t protest the red card because there was nothing to be said, he had made his decision.”
“My teammates have reason to be angry with me, as during a period when Fiorentina were putting on the pressure was certainly not the right time to get sent off.”
“I am sorry, but it seems as if nowadays I can’t even mutter to myself without getting into trouble. I’ll do everything I can to help Milan win the Scudetto.”
Milan, who lead Serie A by three points from Napoli, are tipped to appeal the ban, but if that move proves unsuccessful they will be without their leading scorer for league clashes with Sampdoria, Brescia and Bologna.
He will, however, be available for their Coppa Italia semi-final clash with Palermo on April 20.
Mon 11 April, 2011