Zlatan Ibrahimovic receives 4-match ban for referee outburst

Paris Saint-Germain striker Zlatan Ibrahimovic was handed a four-match ban by the French league's disciplinary committee Friday for his tirade towards an official during a Ligue 1 match in March.

The Swedish international lost his temper after PSG's 3-2 loss to Bordeaux and was filmed verbally abusing official Lionel Jaffredo as he walked back to the dressing room.

He received further criticism when he appeared to insult France during the outburst, which he was later asked to apologise for by the French sports minister.

“He has been sanctioned because of the offensive nature and rudeness of his words,” the commission’s president Sebastien Deneux told reporters.

Although the suspension doesn't include this weekend's League Cup final against Bastia, Ibrahimovic will miss fixtures against Nice, Lille, Metz and Nantes.

It's a devastating loss for PSG as they hold a one-point edge atop the Ligue 1 standings with seven matches remaining.

The team released a statement on its website shortly after the suspension was announced:

It is, once again, after viewing images filmed by a television crew, that the Commission decided to impose a disproportionate sanction on the player; one that denies Paris Saint-Germain a key player during this crucial period of the season and its quest for domestic success.

Adding to PSG's woes is Ibrahimovic's suspension during the first leg of their Champions League quarterfinal clash with Barcelona on April 15 after he was shown a red card during the final round of 16 match against Chelsea.