Champions League

Paris Saint-Germain's Zlatan Ibrahimovic available to play against Barcelona

By Subhankar Mondal, Reporter | 27 March 2013

Paris Saint-Germain's appeal against Zlatan Ibrahimovic's two-match ban is accepted by UEFA and the striker is now available to play against Barcelona next week.

Paris Saint-Germain striker Zlatan Ibrahimovic is available to play against Barcelona in the first leg of their Champions League quarter-final tie after UEFA reduced his suspension.

The 31-year-old was banned for two matches following his red card against Valencia in the first leg of their last-16 tie at the Mestalla. Ibrahimovic missed the second leg of that tie against the Spanish club and was due to sit out the first leg against Barca in Paris as well.

However, PSG appealed against the two-match ban to UEFA, who announced on Tuesday that it has halved the Swede's suspension.

"Following PSG's appeal, the UEFA Appeals Body has decided to commute the suspension to one match, which Ibrahimovic served in the second leg against Valencia in Paris on March 6," read a statement on UEFA's official website.

"He will now be available for the French side's quarter-final opener against his old team FC Barcelona, on Tuesday."

Ibrahimovic has scored two goals in seven Champions League matches for PSG so far this season.