Zlatan Ibrahimovic has accepted a three-match ban for violent conduct for elbowing Bournemouth’s Tyrone Mings during Saturday’s 1-1 draw at Old Trafford.
The Manchester United striker will miss Monday’s FA Cup quarter-final at Chelsea and Premier League games against Middlesbrough and West Brom.
Mings was also charged with violent conduct by the Football Association.
But Bournemouth have said they will appeal against the defender’s charge.
Ibrahimovic, who is United’s leading scorer this season with 26 goals, is eligible to play in the Europa League tie against Rostov in Russia on Thursday. He is due to return in the Premier League against Everton on 4 April.
Mings, 23, landed on the United forward’s head with his studs before Ibrahimovic, 35, caught his rival in the face with his elbow at a corner.
The players were given until 18:00 GMT on Tuesday to respond to the charge.
Deliberate elbowing and stamping are both red card offences. However, the FA suggested Mings could face an increased ban for his offence.
An FA statement said: “The FA has submitted a claim that the standard punishment that would otherwise apply for the misconduct committed by the Bournemouth defender is ‘clearly insufficient’.”
“Off-the-ball incidents which are not seen at the time by the match officials are referred to a panel of three former elite referees.
“Each referee panel member will review the video footage independently of one another to determine whether they consider it a sending-off offence. For retrospective action to be taken, and an FA charge to follow, the decision of the panel must be unanimous.”
What they said
Speaking to the BBC after the match, both Mings and Ibrahimovic denied any intent in their actions.
Mings said: “It was a good battle, you know exactly what you are going to get playing against him. There will be things highlighted more than others, but I enjoyed it.”
Ibrahimovic said Mings had “jumped into” his elbow.
“In my situation, I jump up, I jump high,” the Swede said. “At the same time I protect myself and unlucky he jumps into me. Many times this occasion happens.”
How the clash unfolded
44 mins: Mings slides into a tackle on Wayne Rooney, also taking out Ibrahimovic. The Bournemouth defender gets to his feet and then hurdles Ibrahimovic, landing on the Swede’s head with his right boot.
45 mins: United win a corner which is swung in to the far post where Ibrahimovic and Mings challenge for the high ball.
Ibrahimovic catches Mings with his right elbow after winning the header, the Bournemouth defender going down to the ground clutching his head.
Bournemouth skipper Andrew Surman pushes Ibrahimovic in the chest, earning a second yellow card from Friend.
45+1 mins: The referee has a conversation with Ibrahimovic and United skipper Rooney, then sends off Surman before restarting play after a lengthy delay.
[BBC]
