Ibrahimovic row with journalist 'cleared up'

Ibrahimovic was involved in an angry exchange with Sky journalist Vera Spadini after Milan's victory over Lecce (Getty Images)

A post-match row between Zlatan Ibrahimovic and a female journalist has overshadowed AC Milan's 2-0 win over Lecce at San Siro yesterday.

Ibrahimovic was involved in an angry exchange with Sky journalist Vera Spadini, during which television pictures appeared to show him swearing at her.

Milan last night tried to pour cold water on the incident, releasing a statement claiming the dispute had been "cleared up" in a phone call between the duo.

"A few minutes ago there was a phone call between Zlatan Ibrahimovic and Sky journalist Vera Spadini to clear up the misunderstanding between the two at the end of Milan-Lecce," a statement on the club's official website read.

Despite that the Sweden striker's outburst, and the accompanying TV pictures, have been top news in the Italian press this morning.

Ibrahimovic had scored his side's second goal of the game to help Milan open a four-point lead over Juventus at the top of the Serie A table.

The enigmatic Sweden striker was then interviewed pitchside during which he turned away from the camera and said: "What the **** are you looking at" at Spadini.

The altercation reportedly continued afterwards with Ibrahimovic allegedly also flicking his headband at Spadini.

Ibrahimovic had been aggrieved at reports in the Italian press in recent days which claimed he had been involved in an altercation with coach Massimiliano Allegri after Milan's Champions League match at Arsenal in midweek.

Milan were beaten 3-0 as they just held onto their 4-0 lead from the first leg to progress, with reports later suggesting Ibrahimovic had been unimpressed with his manager's tactics.

The striker had denied those reports with Allegri backing him last night, saying: "As for Ibra, thankfully these stories emerge every now and then, otherwise it gets boring.

"Nothing happened, as it's normal there are discussions between a coach and his players."

PA