Zlatan Ibrahimovic statue defaced with toilet seat by angry Malmo fans after he becomes co-owner of rivals

Zlatan Ibrahimovic’s legacy at Malmo appears to be in tatters after a statue dedicated to the striker was defaced with a toilet seat following the news he had become co-owner of rivals Hammarby.

The former Sweden international has taken a 50 per cent stake in Hammarby it was announced on Wednesday despite his legendary status at Malmo, his hometown club where his career began.

In October, Ibrahimovic was honoured with an 9ft statue, created by Swedish artist Peter Linde, outside Malmo’s stadium.

So news he has invested in their bitter rivals has not gone down well with fans of his first professional club.

Angry Malmo fans made their feelings clear by hanging a toilet seat from the arm of the statue and taping a sheet over its head.

According to local reports, the statue is now being guarded by police amid further fears of vandalism.

Kaveh Hosseinpour, vice chairman of Malmo supporters’ group MFF, raged to Fotbollskanalen: “Of the reactions I have sent to me so far, I have not heard anyone who thinks this is good.

“Everyone is extremely critical. Some are disappointed, some are angry and some think it is idiotic.

“He has probably lost his grip on what he means to Malmo. He misunderstands his position a little when he says that Malmo will be happy for his sake.

“There is no one in Malmo who runs around in an LA Galaxy shirt and plays with Ibrahimovic on his back.

“That statue will no longer matter now, considering where it stands and what he does now.

“He actively wants another club to be better than the club that made him what he is.”

Ibrahimovic, who began his professional career with his boyhood club back in 1999 and spent two years there, said he was hoping they would be happy for him.

“This has nothing to do with MFF. When it comes to the club, we talk about the footballer Zlatan. I think they in Malmo respect this,” he said.

“I have a good relationship with MFF and have had it all year. But this has nothing to do with me as a football player. I think those in Malmo are happy for me.”

While Ibrahimovic will be part-owner of Hammarby, he will not play for the club.

The former Manchester United striker had been linked with Tottenham before Jose Mourinho ruled out a move this week, but the 38-year-old expected to return to Serie A to see out his playing career.