Zlatan Ibrahimovic has sparked controversy after being caught on camera calling France a "shit country" and suggesting his club Paris Saint-Germain are too good for them, reports The Telegraph.
The PSG striker's remarks were overhead after his side slumped to a surprise 3-2 defeat at Bordeaux on Sunday, despite him scoring twice.
Ibrahimovic was walking off the field when he was filmed calling an assistant referee a "fucking asshole" and saying: "In 15 years I've never seen a [good] referee in this shit country. It doesn't even deserve PSG. You're not playing with amateurs."
His comments caused a furore in France, with French sports minister Patrick Kanner calling on the Swede to apologise, telling him "disappointment did not justify his offensive comments".
The Swede duly attempted to make amends by apologising via his Instagram account: "Regarding my comments after tonight's game; they were not against France or the French people.
"I spoke about football. I lost the game, I accept that but I can't accept when the referee doesn't follow the rules. It's not the first time and I'm sick of it.
"My sincere apologies if anyone was offended or took it the wrong way."
Read more of this report, with video of the incident, from The Telegraph.