UEFA lifts Zlatan ban ahead of Barca clash
Paris Saint Germain's star striker Zlatan Ibrahimovic will be free to play in the club's Champions League quarter-final against Barcelona next week after UEFA cut his two-match ban.
The Swede was initially banned after being sent off in the final seconds of PSG's 2-1 win against Valencia in the last 16 stage of the tournament last month, a decision that left his manager baffled.
"Ibrahimovic did not deserve the red card. I don't understand the decision," PSG coach Carlo Ancelotti told French Canal Plus television following the Valencia match.
Ibrahimovic has already served half his ban, after missing PSG's second leg against Valencia.
And UEFA's disciplinary panel on Tuesday reduced the ban, meaning the striker will be available for the crunch April 2nd encounter with Barcelona at home in the Parc des Princes.
Ibrahimovic, who is 31, has notched up 12 red cards in his career, although never in a Sweden shirt.
He has scored 27 goals for the Paris club since last summer's transfer from Milan.
During the 2009-2010 season, the star Swedish striker played for Barcelona, where he netted 21 goals and helped the club claim Spain's La Liga title.
AFP/The Local/dl
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The Swede was initially banned after being sent off in the final seconds of PSG's 2-1 win against Valencia in the last 16 stage of the tournament last month, a decision that left his manager baffled.
"Ibrahimovic did not deserve the red card. I don't understand the decision," PSG coach Carlo Ancelotti told French Canal Plus television following the Valencia match.
Ibrahimovic has already served half his ban, after missing PSG's second leg against Valencia.
And UEFA's disciplinary panel on Tuesday reduced the ban, meaning the striker will be available for the crunch April 2nd encounter with Barcelona at home in the Parc des Princes.
Ibrahimovic, who is 31, has notched up 12 red cards in his career, although never in a Sweden shirt.
He has scored 27 goals for the Paris club since last summer's transfer from Milan.
During the 2009-2010 season, the star Swedish striker played for Barcelona, where he netted 21 goals and helped the club claim Spain's La Liga title.
AFP/The Local/dl
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