Zlatan Ibrahimovic banned for two Champions League matches

Zlatan Ibrahimovic and PSG are up 2-1 on Valencia after the first leg of their Champions League tie.

Anthony Bibard/Icon SMI

UEFA banned Zlatan Ibrahimovic for two European matches on Wednesday, ruling the influential forward out of the Champions League quarterfinals, first leg if Paris Saint-Germain advances.

UEFA said its disciplinary panel extended an automatic one-match sanction for Ibrahimovic's challenge on Valencia midfielder Andres Guardado in stoppage-time of a last-16, first-leg match this month.

Ibrahimovic was shown a straight red card in stoppage-time in Spain, and was already certain to miss the return in Paris on March 6. PSG holds a 2-1 lead.

UEFA's additional punishment applies to the next European club competition for which Ibrahimovic is eligible.

However, speaking after Ibrahimovic scored both goals in a 2-0 French Cup victory over Marseille on Wednesday, PSG coach Carlo Ancelotti said the club would appeal the UEFA sanction.

"I am surprised, I was already surprised when he got the red card, and to get a two-match ban is incredible and I hope UEFA go back on their decision,'' Ancelotti said. "I really hope they will reverse it because to get two games is incredible. Yes, we will appeal.''

UEFA makes the quarterfinals draw on March 15.