UEFA has announced a disciplinary investigation into Zlatan Ibrahimovic’s “alleged financial interest in a betting company”. European football’s governing body has appointed an ethics and disciplinary inspector to establish whether Ibrahimovic has violated any of its betting regulations.
The AC 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 retained his financial interest in Bethard after becoming a part-owner in 2018. According to FIFA regulations, he could be suspended from football for up to three years and fined up to £86,000, although this is very, very unlikely.
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 forbid players from participating 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.