A statue of Zlatan Ibrahimovic is at risk of collapse after being attacked with a saw by Malmo fans angry at his investment in another club.
Swedish police had to step in to stop the bronze statue from collapsing after vandals attempted to saw its feet off.
The unhappy fans also spraypainted the statue of Ibrahimovic before setting it on fire, put a rope around the sculpture’s neck and placed a toilet seat around one of the arms, according to the Daily Mail .
Vandals also attacked Ibrahimovic’s home in Stockholm, painting the word ‘Judas’ on the property.
The statue was unveiled in October in Malmo, where the former Manchester United , Barcelona , PSG and Inter Milan striker began his career.
(Image: Imago/PA Images)
It was commissioned by the Swedish FA in tribute to the 116-times capped forward’s impact on football in the Scandinavian country.
But last month some Malmo fans turned on their hero after it emerged he had purchased a 25% share in rival club Hammarby.
And it seems some have taken it too far with their attacks on the statue, leading police to put up barriers to protect the sculpture from further vandalism.
Malmo was Ibrahimovic’s first club, with the striker scoring 16 goals in 40 appearances before joining Ajax.
(Image: TT News Agency/AFP via Getty Ima)
Hammarby finished third in the 2019 Allsvenskan, level on points with second-placed Malmo as Djurgardens won the title by a single point.
The 38-year-old is currently a free agent after leaving LA Galaxy last month.
He had been expected to join another of his former clubs, AC Milan, in the January transfer window – but according to Italian outlet Calciomercato he could be tempted by a shock move to Napoli after his former Milan teammate Gennaro Gattuso took over as manager of the club.
Ibrahimovic is also thought to be disappointed with the wage he has been offered by Milan, and believes he is worth more than the salary that has been presented.
