At 40, Zlatan Ibrahimovic continues to make the heyday of AC Milan, second in the Italian championship. The seasons go by but the Swedish striker remains the same, performing on the pitch and still as sharp when he speaks in the media. Currently in promotion for his book
Adrenaline
, the international multiplies the confidences on his long career. In a river interview granted to the Corriera della Sera, “Ibra” notably mentioned the episode of the “
shitty country
” when speaking of France, during a trip from Paris SG to Bordeaux in 2015.
Out of his hinges in the corridors of the stadium, the Scandinavian criticized the refereeing of the meeting which was, in his opinion, not at the level in the championship.
“
It's been fifteen years that I play football and I have never seen a referee so bad in this country of shit, he had blurted out.
This country does not deserve PSG.
PSG shouldn't even be in this country, we are too good for this country,
”he said in front of the cameras.
Six years later, the striker assumes this stroke of anger.
“
Marine Le Pen asked for my expulsion.
The next day, I feared the reactions in the street.
Instead the French approached me to congratulate me: "Ibra, you're right, it's really a shitty country
", "he assured the transalpine newspaper.
At the time, his words caused an outcry, especially among politicians.
The president of the National Rally had indeed answered him, without going so far as to ask for an expulsion, as the player claims.
"
Those who consider that France is a country of shit can leave it
", declared the elected.
Ibrahimovic apologized
Faced with the scale of the controversy, Ibrahimovic had apologized: “
I wanted to make it clear that my remarks were not aimed at France or the French.
I spoke of football and not anything else.
I lost the game, and I accept it but I don't accept when the referee doesn't follow the rules.
This is not the first time this has happened.
I spoke out of nervousness and everyone knows that at this point words can overtake thought.
I want to apologize if people have been offended.
“A justification which had not prevented the Disciplinary Commission of the Professional Football League from inflicting four matches of suspension.
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