Ibrahimović owns a Swedish company called Unknown AB, which holds 10% of the shares in Maltese gambling operator Bethard. Ibrahimovic has been the brand’s ambassador and co-owner since 2018.
Under FIFA regulations, footballers cannot have any financial ties with gambling companies, hence Ibrahimovic’s indirect involvement with Bethard could land him in serious trouble.
The story originally broke from Swedish paper Aftonbladet, which speculated that he could get a three-year ban and a fine worth millions; however, with UEFA now actively pursuing the case this could become a reality.
A statement from UEFA said: “In accordance with Article 31 (4) of the UEFA Disciplinary Regulations, 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.”
If found guilty, the player would be in violation of Article 12 (2) of the UEFA Disciplinary Regulations and a lengthy ban could be career-ending for the 39-year-old footballer.
With the investigation still premature, UEFA has said once it gathers more information on the matter, it will be made available to the public.
