The city of Malmo wants Zlatan Ibrahimovic’s statue outside the local football club’s stadium transferred to a new location after repeated acts of vandalism.
The Sydsvenskan newspaper reported on Saturday that the municipal council in Sweden's third largest city is set to make a decision on Monday and is seeking suggestions from top-flight team Malmo FF as to where the statue should be moved to later in the year.
In a statement to the Associated Press, Anders Malmstrom, City of Malmo's media spokesman, confirmed the plan. He said a council working committee will propose on Monday that "the statue should stay in Malmo but get a different location than at the (Swedbank) Stadium."
The club's CEO Niclas Carlnen told the Sydsvenskan newspaper he wasn't aware of the city's plans and wouldn't comment on the matter. Malmstrom did not say whether the Malmo club had been briefed on the issue.
________________
Zlatan set for 14-day quarantine
________________
The 500kg bronze statue of Ibrahimovic, who now plays for AC Milan, was unveiled in October to much fanfare outside Malmo’s stadium, commemorating one of Sweden’s greatest sports stars.
Created by sculptor Peter Linde, the statue is three metres tall and shows the football star standing bare chested with open arms.
It cost $50,000 (Dh183,000) to make, with maintenance costs paid by the city of Malmo.
The statue has been vandalised numerous times. It has been sprayed with paint and messages, had its nose cut, been sawn off at the ankles and overturned.
The vandalism began after it was revealed that Ibrahimovic had become a part-owner in Hammarby IF, a Stockholm-based club and a rival to Malmo.
Ibrahimovic, 38, began his career with Malmo in the late 1990s in the city where he was born.
The statue, excluding its red granite feet, was removed in early January for repairs and has been kept in a secret location ever since.
Fans and foes have suggested it should be relocated to Stockholm, where Ibrahimovic owns property and where the Swedish football association, which commissioned the statue, is based.
White hydrogen: Naturally occurring hydrogen
Chromite: Hard, metallic mineral containing iron oxide and chromium oxide
Ultramafic rocks: Dark-coloured rocks rich in magnesium or iron with very low silica content
Ophiolite: A section of the earth’s crust, which is oceanic in nature that has since been uplifted and exposed on land
Olivine: A commonly occurring magnesium iron silicate mineral that derives its name for its olive-green yellow-green colour
Brief scores:
Scotland 371-5, 50 overs (C MacLeod 140 no, K Coetzer 58, G Munsey 55)
England 365 all out, 48.5 overs (J Bairstow 105, A Hales 52; M Watt 3-55)
Result: Scotland won by six runs
Game Changer
Director: Shankar
Stars: Ram Charan, Kiara Advani, Anjali, S J Suryah, Jayaram
Rating: 2/5
Abu Dhabi Sustainability Week
Results
5pm Maiden (PA) Dh80,000 1,400m
Winner No Riesgo Al Maury, Szczepan Mazur (jockey), Ibrahim Al Hadhrami (trainer)
5.30pm Handicap (PA) Dh80,000 1,600m
Winner Marwa W’Rsan, Sam Hitchcott, Jaci Wickham.
6pm Handicap (PA) Dh80,000 1,600m
Winner Dahess D’Arabie, Al Moatasem Al Balushi, Helal Al Alawi.
6.30pm Handicap (PA) Dh80,000 2,200m
Winner Safin Al Reef, Connor Beasley, Abdallah Al Hammadi.
7pm Wathba Stallions Cup Handicap (PA) Dh70,000 2,200m
Winner Thulbaseera Al Jasra, Shakir Al Balushi, Ibrahim Al Hadhrami.
7.30pm Maiden (TB) Dh 80,000 2,200m
Winner Autumn Pride, Szczepan Mazur, Helal Al Alawi.
Terror attacks in Paris, November 13, 2015
- At 9.16pm, three suicide attackers killed one person outside the Atade de France during a foootball match between France and Germany
- At 9.25pm, three attackers opened fire on restaurants and cafes over 20 minutes, killing 39 people
- Shortly after 9.40pm, three other attackers launched a three-hour raid on the Bataclan, in which 1,500 people had gathered to watch a rock concert. In total, 90 people were killed
- Salah Abdeslam, the only survivor of the terrorists, did not directly participate in the attacks, thought to be due to a technical glitch in his suicide vest
- He fled to Belgium and was involved in attacks on Brussels in March 2016. He is serving a life sentence in France
Traits of Chinese zodiac animals
Tiger:independent, successful, volatile
Rat:witty, creative, charming
Ox:diligent, perseverent, conservative
Rabbit:gracious, considerate, sensitive
Dragon:prosperous, brave, rash
Snake:calm, thoughtful, stubborn
Horse:faithful, energetic, carefree
Sheep:easy-going, peacemaker, curious
Monkey:family-orientated, clever, playful
Rooster:honest, confident, pompous
Dog:loyal, kind, perfectionist
Boar:loving, tolerant, indulgent
Ireland v Denmark: The last two years
Denmark 1-1 Ireland
7/06/19, Euro 2020 qualifier
Denmark 0-0 Ireland
19/11/2018, Nations League
Ireland 0-0 Denmark
13/10/2018, Nations League
Ireland 1 Denmark 5
14/11/2017, World Cup qualifier
Denmark 0-0 Ireland
11/11/2017, World Cup qualifier
