Ibrahimovic Given Two-Game Ban By MLS

By Max Wise

Los Angeles Galaxy striker, Zlatan Ibrahimovic, has been given a two-game ban by the Major League Soccer Disciplinary Committee for grabbing an opposition player by the throat.

The incident happened in last weekend’s MLS game between LA Galaxy and New York City FC, which the latter won 2-0.

In the 86th minute of the game, Ibrahimovic hit the crossbar before a teammate put the rebound over after which the former Sweden international was bumped into by New York City goalkeeper, Sean Johnson.

Ibrahimovic retaliated by grabbing Johnson by the throat before both men ended up on the ground.

Both Ibrahimovic and Johnson were yellow carded by the referee after the incident but the Major League Soccer Disciplinary Committee have moved further to intensify the much-travelled striker’s punishment.

In addition to Ibrahimovic’s two-game ban, he has also been fined an undisclosed amount of money and will now sit out upcoming games against Colorado Rapids and Orlando City.

"Zlatan is a talented player - he obviously knows what he is doing. He is a clever boy and you know, it is a part of the game," Johnson said after the match.

"I would be frustrated if I were him too, you know. Can't blame him for his frustration at that point in the game."

After just over a year into his MLS career, this is Ibrahimovic’s third ban already. He was red carded for slapping Montreal Impact player, Michael Petrasso, on the side of the head last May and was handed a one-game ban for refusing to play in the MLS All-Star game last season.

The former Barcelona and Manchester United striker, who has scored nine goals in ten games this season, was recently fined for diving in a league game against Columbus Crew.