UEFA investigating Ibrahimovic over ‘alleged financial interest’ in betting firm

European football’s governing body, UEFA, has announced a disciplinary investigation into Zlatan Ibrahimovic’s “alleged financial interest in a betting company”.

UEFA has appointed an ethics and disciplinary inspector to establish whether Ibrahimovic has violated any of its betting regulations. The Sweden and Milan striker reportedly owns a 10% stake in Bethard, a Malta-based gambling website, through his company Unknown AB.

The Swedish newspaper Aftonbladet reported earlier this month that Ibrahimovic retains his financial interest in Bethard after becoming a part-owner in 2018. According to FIFA regulations, the former Manchester United forward could be suspended from football for up to three years and fined up to £86,000. UEFA’s possible sanctions are less clear at this stage.

A UEFA statement read: “In accordance with Article 31(4) of the UEFA Disciplinary Regulations (DR), a UEFA Ethics and Disciplinary Inspector has today been appointed to conduct a disciplinary investigation regarding a potential violation by Zlatan Ibrahimovic for having an alleged financial interest in a betting company. Further information regarding this matter will be made available in due course.”

UEFA and FIFA rules do not allow players to participate in any of their competitions if they have financial interests in gambling companies. Aftonbladet has also claimed Ibrahimovic breached FIFA rules when stepping out of international retirement to play for Sweden in World Cup qualifiers against Georgia and Kosovo in March.

The 39-year-old is also alleged to have breached UEFA rules when featuring for Milan in their Europa League tie against Shamrock Rovers in September last year. Ibrahimovic signed a new one-year contract with Milan last week that will keep him at the Italian club beyond his 40th birthday.

Ibrahimovic has also been fined, along with Inter’s Romelu Lukaku, after the players’ heated exchange during a Coppa Italia match in January. The Italian FA has fined Ibrahimovic €4,000 with Lukaku’s penalty €3,000.

Both players were sanctioned for “unsportsmanlike behaviour with provocative phrases”, while the clubs were also fined for the conduct of their players. Milan received a €2,000 penalty, with Inter being fined €1,250.

culled from the Guardian

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