Uefa to investigate Zlatan Ibrahimović over links to betting operator

According to Uefa, the investigation will focus on Ibrahimović’s (pictured) alleged financial interest in an unnamed betting company, which would be in breach of the Code of Ethics set out by the sport’s global governing body Fifa.

Though Uefa did not name the operator that Ibrahimović allegedly has ties with, Swedish newspaper Aftonbladet earlier this month reported that the player is part-owner of Bethard through his Unknown AB business.

Ibrahimović, who plays his club football with Italian Serie A side AC Milan, began working with Bethard in March 2018 in an ambassadorial and development role.

Point two of article 23 under subsection three of section five in the Fifa Code of Ethics states that players must not have an interest in entities, companies or organisation that “promote, broker, arrange or conduct betting, gambling, lotteries or similar events or transactions connected with football matches and competitions”.

Upon launching the investigation, Uefa cited section four of article 31 of its own Disciplinary Regulations, which allows it commission ethics and disciplinary inspectors to carry out an investigation into alleged wrongdoing.

At the time, he was playing for US Major League Soccer team LA Galaxy.