Ibrahimovic appeal fails

AC Milan striker Zlatan Ibrahimovic has failed in his bid to have a three-match ban for swearing at a linesman reduced.

Ibrahimovic was sent off during Milan’s 2-1 Serie A win at Fiorentina two weeks ago after receiving a second caution for swearing in the 87th minute.

The on-loan Barcelona man later argued he had sworn to himself and was merely looking at the linesman while doing so, but was still handed a three-game suspension by the Italian Football Federation’s disciplinary committee.

That suspension has been upheld after Milan opted to appeal, meaning the Serie A leaders will be without their leading scorer for upcoming league games against Brescia and Bologna.

Ibrahimovic has already served one game of his suspension, having sat out Milan’s 3-0 defeat of Sampdoria on Saturday.

By the time Ibrahimovic returns against Roma, he will have missed five of Milan’s last six matches due to ill-disciplined behaviour.

The Sweden international was making his return from suspension against Fiorentina following a two-match ban for punching Bari defender Marco Rossi last month.