Zlatan Ibrahimović Under UEFA Investigation

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Zlatan Ibrahimović, AC Milan’s striker, could potentially face a three-year ban due to UEFA’s investigation of his partnership with a betting company from Malta. The suspension would effectively end the 39-year-old player’s career.

According to Aftonbladet, Ibrahimović’s Stockholm-based company, Unknown AB, owns 10% of Bethard’s shares. Bethard is a gambling website, and UEFA’s player regulation strictly forbids players from having a financial interest in betting.

The Sweedish Football association has been familiar with this conflict of interest for three years. It left Ibrahimović out of the national team for the 2018 World Cup, despite rumours of his comeback.

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 officially stated. “Further information regarding this matter will be made available in due course.

The Swedish player recently returned to the Swedish national team after a five-year retirement from international games. Ibrahimović’s breach of UEFA and FIFA regulations related to gambling affiliations may have occurred in the AC Milan vs Shamrock Rovers Europa League qualifying match in September 2020 and the Sweden vs Georgia Qatar 2022 World Cup qualifier.

On his company website, Ibrahimović stated: “I have obviously been intensively courted by betting companies throughout my career, but up until now I have not been presented to anything that has triggered me. With Bethard, there was something different. It’s a company with Swedish roots, the founders are from my home town, and they are true challengers who really wants to do things differently.

The investigation comes on the tail of the former Manchester United striker’s extension for his contract in AC Milan for another season.

Whatever the outcome of the investigation is, the incident highlights the importance of working with a law-abiding sportsbook. Having a team of professionals recommend you a new sports betting website after thorough research is the first step in the right direction.