Zlatan Ibrahimovic faces three-year football ban for gambling company stake

FIFA may impose a three-year ban on Sweden and AC Milan footballer Zlatan Ibrahimovic for his involvement with a Maltese gambling company.

The player might have breached rules due to his involvement with the Maltese gambling brand Bethard.

Zlatan Ibrahimovic’s Swedish company, Unknown AB, owns 10% of shares in Bethard, which violates FIFA rules.

Moreover, Unknown AB is likely to have the fourth-largest stakeholder in the operator with a post-tax profit of £25.8m in 2019.

According to reports, now Zlatan Ibrahimovic could face fine worth millions and a three-year suspension from football.

According to FIFA rules, players featuring FIFA and UEFA competitions cannot have financial ties with gambling companies.

The Swedish Association knows about the player’s involvement with Bethard for three years. It was when he was appointed ambassador and co-owner of Bethard in 2018.

“No player may own shares in betting companies,” said Hakan Sjostrand, the Swedish Football Association’s general secretary. He spoke in accordance with FIFA’s rules and code of ethics.

Later, when asked about the latest proceedings, Sjostrand said, “I do not speculate on possible sanctions.”