The staue of Swedish football player Zlatan Ibrahimovic in Malmo, Sweden, is pictured after it has been completly sawn down and destroyed during the night to January 5, 2020. – The statue has been the target of vandalism since the star has announced his part ownership in football club Hammarby, a team rivalling with Malmo FF (MFF) — the club where Ibrahimovic started his professional career in 1999. (Photo by Johan NILSSON / TT News Agency / AFP)
COPENHAGEN — Zlatan Ibrahimovic’s statue in his hometown of Malmo was vandalized overnight Saturday, Swedish police reported.
The statue has been the target of numerous attacks since the Swedish footballer invested in Stockholm-based Hammarby, angering supporters of Malmo FF, the club where he began his professional career.
In November, a day after his investment in Hammarby, Ibrahimovic filed a “hate crime” complaint after the statue was attacked with fire and paint and the word ‘Judas’ daubed across the front door of his Stockholm home.
In the latest incident the statue had collapsed against the barrier protecting it, its feet partially chopped off.
“A vandalism complaint has been lodged,” a police spokesperson told AFP.
There are calls from local inhabitants for the statue outside Malmo’s city stadium to be moved.
“I can understand that many people are disappointed in Zlatan’s behavior but vandalising a statute is simply unworthy. Better to express your dissatisfaction in a democratic way,” Malmo deputy mayor Frida Trollmyr told AFP.
A citizens’ initiative to move the sculpture will be considered in February, she added.
Ibrahimovic, 38, is set to make his debut for former club AC Milan in Serie A on Monday after signing a six-month contract with the former European champions last week.