UEFA has launched a disciplinary investigation into Zlatan Ibrahimovic’s alleged part-ownership of a betting company.
The AC Milan striker is thought to own a 10 percent stake in Bethard, a Malta-based gambling website, through his company Unknown AB.
As a result, European football’s governing body has appointed an ethics and disciplinary inspector to establish whether Ibrahimovic has violated any betting regulations.
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UEFA released a statement saying: “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 of the UEFA Disciplinary Regulations by Mr. 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, alongside FIFA, do not allow players to take part in their competitions if they have financial interests in gambling companies.
Swedish outlet Aftonbladet released a report earlier this month stating that the 39-year-old retains financial interest in Bethard, after becoming a part-owner in 2018.
According to FIFA regulations the former Manchester United star could be suspended from football for up to three years and fined up to £86,000. UEFA’s possible sanctions are not yet known.
Aftonbladet claimed Ibrahimovic breached FIFA rules when returning from retirement to play for Sweden in March’s World Cup qualifiers against Georgia and Kosovo.
Sweden beat Georgia 1-0 before recording a 3-0 away victory over Kosovo three days later.
Ibrahimovic is also alleged to have breached UEFA rules when featuring for AC Milan in their Europa League tie against Shamrock Rovers in September last year.
The Swede only just signed a one-year contract extension with the Italian giants last week. It will see him remain in Serie A until after his 40th birthday.
Ibrahimovic is Milan’s top scorer this season with 15 goals in 17 league appearances.
He’s helped them to reach third in the table, two points behind second-placed Atalanta. However, they’re 13 points behind rivals Inter Milan, who look set to win their first league title in 11 years.
Ibrahimovic is in his second spell at Milan. He’s previously played for European giants Barcelona, Paris Saint-Germain and Juventus.
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