Ibrahimovic cleared of deliberately hurting Lovren

PARIS (AP) — Paris Saint-Germain striker Zlatan Ibrahimovic has been cleared by the French league's disciplinary committee of deliberately treading on the face of Lyon defender Dejan Lovren and has avoided a second suspension of the season.

The LFP reached its decision late Thursday, saying it could not establish "without persistent doubt" that Ibrahimovic purposefully trod on Lovren, drawing blood from the Croat's face when the teams played on Dec. 16

Ibrahimovic was suspended for two matches in November for a dangerous high kick into the chest of Saint-Etienne goalkeeper Stephane Ruffier as he chased down a long ball.

Without him, PSG drew the next game and then lost 2-1 at home to nine-man Rennes.

Ibrahimovic had 18 goals in 16 league games ahead of the match against Ajaccio late Friday.