The leader of France’s nationalist party Front National, Marine Le Pen, has invited Swedish footballer Zlatan Ibrahimovic to “leave the country,” after the Paris Saint-Germain (PSG) player dubbed France a “sh*t country” which did not “deserve” his team.
Ibrahimovic, who is known for his hot temper and self-aggrandizing remarks, made the comment while storming off the pitch yesterday after the final whistle was blown on a match which saw his side lose against Bordeaux in France’s Ligue 1.
“In 15 years, I have never seen such a poor referee in this sh*t country, this country does not deserve PSG," Ibrahimovic exclaimed to French sports broadcaster Infosport+, who were waiting to interview him in the tunnel.
Ibrahimovic apologized hours after the outburst, clarifying he had been angry at the referee and that his verbal attack was not intended to offend France or the French people.
French sports minister, Patrick Kanner, commented that “disappointment was no justification for his offensive comments”, but commended Ibrahimovic’s apology as that of “a great champion”.
However, Le Pen, leader of France’s anti-establishment Front National, appeared to still be riled by the incident when she appeared on French radio station France Info this morning, saying that “whoever thinks that France is a ‘sh*t country’, can leave it”.
http://www.newsweek.com/le-pen-calls-footballer-ibrahimovic-leave-france-314018
