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December 20, 2024
Zlatan Ibrahimovic investigated by UEFA over 'alleged financial interest' in betting company

Zlatan Ibrahimovic investigated by UEFA over ‘alleged financial interest’ in betting company

The AC Milan striker reportedly owns a stake in Bethard and in March 2018 was officially announced as an “active ambassador” for the firm.
At the time of that announcement, the Malta-based gambling website said Ibrahimovic would also engage in the “on-going development of the company’s offering.”

“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 Ibrahimović for having an alleged financial interest in a betting company,” UEFA said in a statement.

FIFA regulations state that anyone found guilty of betting breaches could face a suspension from football of up to three years and a fine of up to $119,000.

“As a general policy, FIFA’s judicial bodies don’t speculate on the application of the FIFA Code of Ethics or any other regulation,” a FIFA spokesperson told CNN.

Article 12 of UEFA’s Disciplinary Regulations states: “The integrity of matches and competitions is violated, for example, by anyone who participates directly or indirectly in betting or similar activities relating to competition matches or who has a direct or indirect financial interest in such activities.”

Ibrahimovic’s agent referred CNN Sport to his club AC Milan, which did not immediately respond to a request for comment about UEFA’s investigation. Bethard did not immediately respond to CNN’s request for comment.

Last week, Ibrahimovic signed a one-year contract extension at Milan that will enable him to play beyond his 40th birthday.