Ibrahimovic gets four-match ban following ref rant in loss to Bordeaux
PARIS --
The French league's disciplinary commission has handed a four-match suspension to Zlatan Ibrahimovic following his criticism of a referee last month.
Following PSG's 3-2 loss at Bordeaux in the league on March 15, the Swede striker lost his temper and vented his anger on television at decisions which went against his side. Ibrahimovic, whose comments were caught on camera, insulted referee Lionel Jaffredo and one of his assistants, then used an expletive to describe France.
Ibrahimovic, who later said he was sorry after the French sports minister asked him to apologize, is available for Saturday's League Cup final against Bastia as his suspension only starts next week. He will miss league games against Nice, Lille, Metz and Nantes and should return for the last three matches of the season.
On Thursday, Ibrahimovic scored a hat trick that helped Paris Saint-Germain stay on course for a domestic treble after defeating St. Etienne 4-1 to set up a Coupe de France final clash against Ligue 2 Auxerre.
The Swedish star opened the scoring with a 21st minute penalty before adding two late goals after the visitors had briefly threatened to cause an upset. Ibrahimovic stroked home the spot-kick, his 100th goal for the club in all competitions, after Ezequiel Lavezzi was fouled in the box.
PSG's lead lasted only four minutes before Romain Hamouma equalized but Lavezzi put the hosts back in front on the hour before Ibrahimovic wrapped up victory by firing home in the 83rd minute and again deep into injury time.
FOXSoccer.com's newswire services contributed to this report.
