The damaged statue of soccer player Zlatan Ibrahimovic next to Stadion football arena in Malmo, Sweden, Sunday Jan. 5, 2020. Ibrahimovic, who recently joined Italian side AC Milan, angered fans of his boyhood club, Malmo, in November when he bought a stake in one of Swedish title rivals, Hammarby, and outlined his desire to make the Stockholm-based team 'the best in Scandinavia". (Johan Nilsson/TT via AP)
The Associated Press
MALMO (AP) - After weeks of vandalism, the statue of Zlatan Ibrahimovic has finally been overturned.
The 500-kilogram monument, which is located outside Malmo's soccer stadium, was cut off at the feet, causing it to topple over onto a wire fence overnight Sunday. A dark Sweden soccer t-shirt was draped over the statue's face.
Ibrahimovic, who recently joined Italian side AC Milan , angered fans of his boyhood club, Malmo, in November when he bought a stake in one of its Swedish title rivals, Hammarby, and outlined his desire to make the Stockholm-based team 'œthe best in Scandinavia."
Hours after that was announced, the statue of Ibrahimovic - unveiled in October by the Swedish Football Association to commemorate one of the country's greatest players - was attacked, with vandals attempting to set it on fire and writing racist graffiti next to it.
Last month, there was an attempt to saw off the legs of the bronze statue, which was sprayed silver while its nose was also cut off.
'œI can understand that there is a disappointment in Malmo, but it crosses all boundaries when you vandalize the statue in the way that has happened,'ť Hakan Sjostrand, secretary general of the Sweden's FA, said in comments reported by Swedish news agency TT.
The statue is being removed but is set to be put back up. There have been no reports of any arrests being made.
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The damaged statue of soccer player Zlatan Ibrahimovic next to Stadion football arena in Malmo, Sweden, Sunday Jan. 5, 2020. Ibrahimovic, who recently joined Italian side AC Milan, angered fans of his boyhood club, Malmo, in November when he bought a stake in one of Swedish title rivals, Hammarby, and outlined his desire to make the Stockholm-based team 'the best in Scandinavia". (Johan Nilsson/TT via AP)
The Associated Press
The damaged statue of soccer player Zlatan Ibrahimovic next to Stadion football arena in Malmo, Sweden, Sunday Jan. 5, 2020. Ibrahimovic, who recently joined Italian side AC Milan, angered fans of his boyhood club, Malmo, in November when he bought a stake in one of Swedish title rivals, Hammarby, and outlined his desire to make the Stockholm-based team 'the best in Scandinavia". (Johan Nilsson/TT via AP)
The Associated Press
In this photo taken on Sunday, Dec. 22, 2019, the defaced statue of Zlatan Ibrahimovic is seen in Malmo, Sweden. The statue of Swedish soccer star Zlatan Ibrahimovic has been the target of more vandalism. This time, its nose has been chopped off. Ibrahimovic angered fans of his boyhood club, Malmo, last month when he bought a stake in one of its title rivals, Hammarby, and outlined his desire to make the Stockholm-based team 'the best in Scandinavia.' (Johan Nilsson/TT News Agency via AP)
The Associated Press
In this photo taken on Sunday, Dec. 22, 2019, the defaced statue of Zlatan Ibrahimovic is seen in Malmo, Sweden. The statue of Swedish soccer star Zlatan Ibrahimovic has been the target of more vandalism. This time, its nose has been chopped off. Ibrahimovic angered fans of his boyhood club, Malmo, last month when he bought a stake in one of its title rivals, Hammarby, and outlined his desire to make the Stockholm-based team 'the best in Scandinavia.' (Johan Nilsson/TT News Agency via AP)
The Associated Press
In this photo taken on Sunday, Dec. 22, 2019, the defaced statue of Zlatan Ibrahimovic is seen in Malmo, Sweden. The statue of Swedish soccer star Zlatan Ibrahimovic has been the target of more vandalism. This time, its nose has been chopped off. Ibrahimovic angered fans of his boyhood club, Malmo, last month when he bought a stake in one of its title rivals, Hammarby, and outlined his desire to make the Stockholm-based team 'the best in Scandinavia.' (Johan Nilsson/TT News Agency via AP)
The Associated Press
Zlatan Ibrahimovic trains in Carnago, near Milan, Italy, Saturday, Jan. 3, 2020. The 38-year-old striker signed a deal with AC Milan until the end of the season with an option to extend for another year. (Spada/LaPresse via AP)
The Associated Press
Zlatan Ibrahimovic trains in Carnago, near Milan, Italy, Saturday, Jan. 3, 2020. The 38-year-old striker signed a deal with AC Milan until the end of the season with an option to extend for another year. (Spada/LaPresse via AP)
The Associated Press