Paris Saint-Germain striker Zlatan Ibrahimovic speaks in English or Italian when he wants to insult referees in Ligue 1 according to Lyon coach Hubert Fournier ahead of this weekend’s match between the two clubs.
“All the referees in this league get insulted by this person. Apparently, the referees are not bilingual or trilingual, so they don’t understand.”
He added: “In a way, it’s better to speak Italian or English to insult referees.”
Fournier was bringing this matter up not just to add some spice to the match, but also hoping that match day referee Clement Turpin was listening.
“The person who is going to be most provoked is Mr Turpin,” the Lyon coach continued.
“I don’t want my team to provoke, I don’t want us to insult the officials. I hope we remember not to fall for Zlatan’s provocations.”
Ibrahimovic was in the news earlier this week after Marseille defender Rod Fanni told French newspaper Le Parisien that he wanted to punch the Swedish international.
“Yes, I have often wanted to smack him!” the France international said. “We say things to each other in English that I won’t repeat. But that’s just part of the game, we’re not out there to be friends.”
Fanni, however, insists that the PSG forward is merely putting on an act.
He added: “It’s a role he plays, and he does it very well. He should get an Oscar. He can be annoying on the pitch, but it’s really a role he gives himself. I know some PSG players: he’s not like that really.”
