PSG to boycott Canal Plus for their role in Zlatan Ibrahimovic's 4-game ban

Canal Plus’ broadcast of Zlatan Ibrahimovic’s rant led to his 4-match ban

Paris, April 11 (IANS) Ligue 1 champions Paris Saint-Germain (PSG) will boycott TV channel Canal Plus until the end of the season as their coverage of Zlatan Ibrahimovic's rant last month played a big part in the Swede's four-game ban.

The Swedish striker was handed the suspension for his foul-mouthed outburst after his sending off against Bordeaux in the first division league's 29th round on March 15, reports Xinhua.

"In 15 years, I have never seen such a referee. In this shit country..." said the Swede while walking towards the changing rooms following his side's 3-2 defeat to Bordeaux.

"The country does not deserve PSG. We are too good for them," said the 33-year-old who lost his temper after scoring two goals but not able to save his side from losing.

His rant against France was heard and captured in footage by TV channel Canal Plus. The clip was posted online and soon went viral. Ibrahimovic later issued an apology through the PSG's website, insisting he wasn't speaking about the nation as a whole.

With the four-match ban, he will miss PSG's Ligue 1 games against Nice, Lille, Metz and Nantes, as well as the Champions League quarter-final first leg hosting Barcelona after having seen red in his last CL outing at Chelsea. Ibrahimovic, however, will be able to play against Bastia in Saturday's League Cup Final.

Following the ban, the French champions have announced they won't speak to Canal+ until May 30.

"Club directors have made the decision to not longer make public declarations near journalists or in front of cameras of the group Canal+ until Saturday, May 30," said the club in a statement.

"Heavily sanctioned, PSG, which is one of the most publicised clubs and one that generates the strongest television audiences, does not want to take the risk of exposing itself to new sanctions related to unhappy comments provoked by an arbitrary, contestable decision."

Marseille have announced a similar boycott after Canal Plus camera footage played a big part in Dmitri Payet's two-game ban.