Ibrahimovic, Mings charged over clash

Manchester United striker Zlatan Ibrahimovic and Bournemouth defender Tyrone Mings were charged with violent conduct on Monday over two incidents in Saturday’s 1-1 draw. Mings appeared to deliberately stamp on Ibrahimovic’s head as he jumped over him late in the fi rst half at Old Traff ord and the Swedish striker seemed to retaliate moments later by elbowing the defender in the head.

Both players would ordinarily face three-game bans, but England’s Football Association said in Mings’s case the standard punishment was “clearly insuffi cient”. “Zlatan Ibrahimovic and Tyrone Mings have both been charged with alleged violent conduct following the Manchester United versus AFC Bournemouth game on Saturday,” the FA said in a statement. “Th e players were involved in two separate incidents in or around the 44th minute which were not seen by the match offi cials at the time but caught on video. “Furthermore, the FA has submitted a claim that the standard punishment that would otherwise apply for the misconduct committed by the Bournemouth defender is ‘clearly insuffi cient’.” Th e two players have until 6pm GMT on Tuesday to respond to the charges. Match referee Kevin Friend spoke to Ibrahimovic, who had already been booked, following his elbow on Mings, but neither player was cautioned.

As a result, the incident was referred to a panel of three former elite referees, who unanimously concluded that both off ences merited red cards. Ibrahimovic, United’s top scorer with 26 goals, denied deliberately elbowing Mings, saying: “I jump up and jump high and he jumps into my elbow. It is not my intention to hurt someone.”

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