Suspected Of Gambling Company Involvement, Ibrahimovic Was Threatened With IDR 1.58 Billion Fine And Sanctions

Zlatan Ibrahimovic (Twitter @ibra_official)

JAKARTA - UEFA appointed an ethics and disciplinary inspector to investigate Swedish striker Zlatan Ibrahimovic for "alleged financial interests in a betting company", the European football's governing body said on Monday.

Swedish newspaper Aftonbladet reported earlier this month that Ibrahimovic, 39, is part-owner of betting company Bethard and has been working with since 2018.

The FIFA Code of Conduct states that a player is prohibited from having an interest in any entity or company that "promotes, brokers, regulates or makes bets, gambling, lotteries, events or similar transactions in connection with football matches and competitions".

Ibrahimovic quit international football after the 2016 European Championships but he returned to the Swedish national team for World Cup qualification last month. Meanwhile, he also played in the UEFA Europa League for AC Milan this season.

If found guilty, Ibrahimovic will have to pay a fine of 100,000 Swiss francs (Rp1.58 billion) and will be banned from football-related activities for a maximum of three years.

Last week Ibrahimovic signed a one-year contract extension which will keep him at AC Milan after his 40th birthday.