Manchester United striker Zlatan Ibrahimovic has been handed over a three-match suspension by England's Football Association after he accepted the charge of violent conduct during Saturday's Premier League clash against Bournemouth.
Ibrahimovic and Bournemouth defender Tyrone Mings were on Monday charged with alleged violent conduct by the Football Association over two incidents in Saturday's 1-1 draw.
The pair clashed shortly before half-time, with Mings appearing to deliberately stamp on Ibrahimovic's head as he jumped over him late in the first half at Old Trafford and the Swedish striker seemed to retaliate moments later by elbowing the defender in the head. Neither player was dismissed by referee Kevin Friend during the game.
"Zlatan Ibrahimovic will serve a three-match suspension with immediate effect after he admitted an FA charge of violent conduct and accepted the standard penalty," said Football Association in a statement on Tuesday.
"The misconduct was not seen by the match officials at the time but caught on video," the statement added.
The 35-year-old will consequently miss the Emirates FA Cup tie at Chelsea, followed by the Premier League matches against Middlesbrough and West Brom. He is due to return in the home game with Everton on 4 April but remains eligible for the Reds' Europa League clashes with FC Rostov.
Ibrahimovic, while speaking to Match referee Kevin Friend, had denied deliberately elbowing Mings, and said it was not his intention to hurt someone.
"I jump up and jump high and he jumps into my elbow. It is not my intention to hurt someone."
On the other hand, the Bournemouth defender said he had not intentionally stamped on Ibrahimovic's head.
"I would never do that. That's not in my game," he said. "Hard and fair is how I like to tackle, but off-the-ball stuff like that isn't part of my game.
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