Milan head coach Stefano Pioli insists Zlatan Ibrahimovic is "certainly not a racist" but thinks his clash with Romelu Lukaku could rekindle his best form.
Ibrahimovic was sent off having scored the opening goal in the Rossoneri's 2-1 Coppa Italia defeat to Inter this week.
The veteran striker earned his first of two yellow cards after a heated confrontation with former Manchester United team-mate Lukaku, in which he appeared to tell the Belgian forward: "Go do your voodoo s***, you little donkey".
It was suggested Ibrahimovic was referring to comments made in 2018 by Everton majority shareholder Farhad Moshiri, who said Lukaku had declined a contract extension because a "voodoo message" told him to move to Chelsea - a transfer that never transpired.
Some accused Ibrahimovic of racially abusing Lukaku, with the Swede responding by stating on Twitter: "In ZLATAN's world there is no place for RACISM." United midfielder Paul Pogba also tweeted to say his old team-mate was "the last person I'd think of as racist".
Ibrahimovic will serve a one-game ban for his red card but Pioli hopes a line can now be drawn under the incident as Milan focus back on Serie A.
"Ibrahimovic is determined and up for it, as he always is," Pioli said ahead of Saturday's game at Bologna. "Certain things can happen on the pitch; I'm not going to justify that, but you need to draw a line under it and move on.
"Ibra is certainly not a racist; the club has always been on the front line in the fight against discrimination. Zlatan also needs these situations to get a bit of energy and motivation back."
Milan's cup exit followed a 3-0 home league defeat to Atalanta that allowed Inter to close the gap on the leaders to two points.
Pioli says back-to-back losses have not changed his view of his team's potential as he aims to return them to the Champions League.
"We're not interested in what people are saying outside of the club," he said. "We just need to focus on ourselves, maintain a good balance, continue to work and improve. We know that opinions can change quickly in football.
"It's useless to look back; we only need to look forwards. I haven't changed my mind on our quality. We have a good team and the ideas are there. We are able to put in consistently good and competitive performances, which we have shown up to now.
"We're having a great season; we have 18 more points than we did at this stage last season and have closed the gap to our direct rivals.
"The second half of the season will be more complicated and hard-fought. Qualifying for Champions League football won't be easy, but we have the quality to do it."
Bailey, Nicholson headline 23-man Reggae Boyz squad for Mexico CONCACAF Nations League clash
Aston Villa forward Leon Bailey and Spartak Moscow striker Shamar Nicholson headline a 23-man squad named by the Jamaica Football Federation on Monday for the CONCACAF Nations League fixture between the Reggae Boyz and Mexico at the Azteca on March 26.
Bailey and Nicholson are two of a number of players who were not apart of the squad for the two friendlies against the Soca Warriors in Jamaica last week.
Defenders Damion Lowe, Amari’i Bell and Kemar Lawrence are also among those who have returned to the squad while regular skipper Andre Blake remains absent through injury.
The match will commence at 7:00pm JA time (8:00pm ET).
The full squad is as follows: Goalkeepers: Jahmali Waite (Pittsburgh Riverhounds), Coniah Boyce-Clarke (Reading), Amal Knight (Lexington), Defenders: Amari’i Bell (Luton Town), Ethan Pinnock (Brentford), Dexter Lembikisa (Wolves), Adrian Mariappa (Unattached), Damion Lowe (Philadelphia Union), Richard King (Cavalier), Javain Brown (Vancouver Whitecaps), Kemar Lawrence (Minnesota United), Midfielders: Jonathan Russell (Barnsley), Bobby Reid (Fulham), Demario Phillips (Mt. Pleasant), Kevon Lambert (Phoenix Rising), Daniel Johnson (Preston North End), Ravel Morrison (DC United), Kaheem Parris (Dynamo Kyiv), Forwards: Jamal Lowe (Bournemouth), Cory Burke (NY Red Bulls), Trivante Stewart (Mt. Pleasant), Shamar Nicholson (Spartak Moscow), Leon Bailey (Aston Villa)
St Kitts & Nevis announces squad for Nations League matches against St Martin and Aruba
The St. Kitts and Nevis Football Association (SKNFA) has revealed the names of the players for the St. Kitts-Nevis Senior Men National Team for the upcoming Concacaf Nations League matches versus French St. Martin and Aruba on March 23rd and 27th respectively. The squad is listed below.
Goalkeepers: Julani Archibald (Lorca) (Spain), Jamal Jeffers (St. Paul’s Utd FC) and Stephen Vibert (Bath Utd FC)
Defenders: Lois Maynard (Oldham) (UK), Gerard Williams (Trau FC) (India), Raheem Hanley (Stalybridge Celtic (UK), Mikkel Hirst (Romulus) (UK), Andre Burley (Oxford City) (UK), Jameel Ible (Guiseley AFC) (UK), Dijhorn Simmonds (Cayon Rockets FC), and Malique Roberts (Cayon Rockets FC.
Midfielders: Romaine Sawyers (Cardiff City) (UK), Mervin Lewis (Cayon Rockets FC), Tyrese Shade (Swindon Town) (UK), Kalonji Clarke (St. Paul’s Utd FC), Omari Sterling-James (Ebbsfleet) (UK), Tyquan Terrell (St. Peter’s FC) and Yohannes Mitchum (Newtown Utd FC) (SKN).
Forwards: Carlos Bertie (Cayon Rockets FC), Tiquanny Williams (Old Road Jets FC), Tishan Hanley (Prime Bangkok) (Thailand), Keithroy Freeman (St. Paul’s Utd FC) and Harrison Panayiotou (Maidenhead) (UK).
PSV impose 40-year stadium ban on man who attacked Sevilla goalkeeper Dmitrovic
PSV have handed the man who attacked Sevilla goalkeeper Marko Dmitrovic during their Europa League meeting a 40-year stadium ban.
The Eredivisie club were eliminated from the competition despite a 2-0 second-leg victory in their knockout round play-off tie last month at Philips Stadion, having lost 3-0 in Spain.
Ugly scenes marred the final moments of clash in Eindhoven, however, when a 20-year-old supporter entered the pitch and attacked Dmitrovic, who subsequently pinned the man before security escorted him away.
The man in question was given an initial two-month prison stint on March 8, and sentenced to an additional one-month inside if he re-offends.
PSV have now confirmed he will face further long-term punishment for his actions, with a stadium ban stretching until 2063.
"PSV [have] imposed a 40-year-long ban on the individual who invaded the pitch during the Europa League match against Sevilla," the club said in a statement.
"The 40-year-long ban comes on top of a possible fine imposed by UEFA. The pitch invader is currently serving a three-month sentence with one month suspended imposed by the East Brabant District Court.
"He is also barred from the area around the stadium for two years."
PSV also revealed the individual had already been serving a ban from the Royal Dutch Football Association (KNVB).
Sevilla secured their place in the quarter-finals of the Europa League last week following a 2-1 aggregate victory over Fenerbahce.
They will face Manchester United in the last eight in April, after the international break.
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