Zlatan Ibrahimovic: Angry PSG manager Laurent Blanc hopes striker does not repeat shirtless 'tattooed' celebration against Chelsea

The gesture was charitable rewarded by a yellow card

James Orr
Tuesday 17 February 2015 18:33 GMT
Comments
Zlatan Ibrahimovic's celebration was to raise awareness for those starving
Zlatan Ibrahimovic's celebration was to raise awareness for those starving (Zlatan Ibrahimovic)

Your support helps us to tell the story

From reproductive rights to climate change to Big Tech, The Independent is on the ground when the story is developing. Whether it's investigating the financials of Elon Musk's pro-Trump PAC or producing our latest documentary, 'The A Word', which shines a light on the American women fighting for reproductive rights, we know how important it is to parse out the facts from the messaging.

At such a critical moment in US history, we need reporters on the ground. Your donation allows us to keep sending journalists to speak to both sides of the story.

The Independent is trusted by Americans across the entire political spectrum. And unlike many other quality news outlets, we choose not to lock Americans out of our reporting and analysis with paywalls. We believe quality journalism should be available to everyone, paid for by those who can afford it.

Your support makes all the difference.

Zlatan Ibrahimovic may have won many new fans for his charitable "tattooed" celebration on Saturday, but his manager at PSG, Laurent Blanc, was not impressed.

The Swedish striker said that he removed his shirt and displayed temporary tattoos of the names of 50 people starving in an effort to draw attention to the United Nations' World Food Programme after scoring in the second minute against Caen in the 2-2 draw on Saturday.

The PSG coach Laurent Blanc
The PSG coach Laurent Blanc (AFP/Getty Images)

However, he was booked for the celebration, and Blanc said that he hopes Ibrahimovic does not take his shirt off against Chelsea in the Champions League last 16 tie in in Paris tonight and cost them another yellow card. The mercurial striker would of course miss the second leg at Stamford Bridge on 11 March if he receives another one in the game and is sent off.

"I was aware of his commitment to the foundation, but personally I didn't know that he'd had several names tattooed on him," Blanc said ahead of the Chelsea match.

"If it was to show his tattoos then it worked because it made the front page of every website in the world, so in that sense it was very successful for him and for the foundation. But it cost us a yellow card."

Ibrahimovic had the names of people starving temporarily tattooed on his body
Ibrahimovic had the names of people starving temporarily tattooed on his body (GETTY IMAGES)

Blanc added: "Imagine if the game had become more heated and that he'd got a second yellow card. The game would have been over for us.

"I don't know if taking his shirt off was a good thing. I hope he won't take his shirt off if he scores tomorrow because he will get another yellow card. So it's something to ponder."

Join our commenting forum

Join thought-provoking conversations, follow other Independent readers and see their replies

Comments

Thank you for registering

Please refresh the page or navigate to another page on the site to be automatically logged inPlease refresh your browser to be logged in