Ibrahimovic Faces Testing Times at PSG After Lovren Altercation

Zlatan Ibrahimovic scored one of the great international goals just five weeks ago for Sweden in the 4-2 win over England, but now the eyes of the world are on the Paris Saint-Germain striker again, for all the wrong reasons.

The 31-year-old has been accused of stomping on Olympique Lyonnais defender Dejan Lovren during PSG’s 1-0 win on Sunday.

Ibrahimovic was off the ground as his Croatian opponent fell to the ground.

However, the former AC Milan forward brought his foot down on Lovren’s face as he landed.

Match official Antony Gautier took no action over the incident and video replays were inconclusive in proving any intent on Ibrahmovic’s part, although Lovren and Lyon president Jean-Michel Aulas have both voiced their opinion on the incident.

To add to the agony for Lovren and Lyon, Ibrahimovic went on to cross for Blaise Matuidi to score the only goal of the game in the closing stages of the first half.

But these are trying times for Ibrahimovic—who has scored 17 goals this season—and PSG, with reports of the striker failing to show up for training with Carlo Ancelotti’s team last week.

It will be difficult for the French Football Federation to charge Ibrahimovic over Sunday’s incident with television replays so inconclusive.

But Ancelotti and PSG will be looking closely at the man they paid almost £16 million to Milan for in July.

Ibrahimovic was a totemic capture for the big-spending French club, who also bought Milan defender Thiago Silva, Napoli striker Ezequiel Lavezzi and Pescara midfielder Marco Verratti for a total of £88 million in the summer.

PSG president Nasser Al-Khelaifi and wealthy club owners the Qatar Investment Authority are determined to follow the example of Sheikh Mansour’s success at Manchester City with serious investment.

But, with so much invested in success on the field, PSG will not allow Ibrahimovic to become a threat to that dream off the pitch.