Football Legend Zlatan Ibrahimović Hit by €50,000 Fine for Gambling Breach

Swedish football star Zlatan Ibrahimović has been fined €50,000 ($61,000) for his involvement with betting company Bethard, with his team AC Milan also fined €25,000 ($30,500) for the breach of rules.

As we revealed last month, the Swedish soccer legend was being investigated by both FIFA (the world governing body) and UEFA (the European equivalent) over his reported 10% stake in the Malta-based gambling company, Bethard.

This week’s statement from UEFA declared:

"The Chairman of the UEFA Appeals Body today took the following decisions:
To fine Mr. Zlatan Ibrahimovic €50,000 for violating Article 12(2)(b) of the UEFA Disciplinary Regulations (DR), i.e. for having a financial interest in a betting company.
The Chairman of the UEFA Appeals Body also issued Mr. Ibrahimovic with a directive aimed at ceasing the player’s association with the relevant betting company.
Finally, the Chairman of the UEFA Appeals Body decided to warn and fine AC Milan €25,000 for violating Article 12(2)(b) of the UEFA DR (in connection with Article 8 of the UEFA DR) for its player, Mr. Zlatan Ibrahimovic, having a financial interest in a betting company."

UEFA rules do not allow players to have a stake or financial interest in any company that “promote, broker, arrange or conduct betting, gambling, lotteries or similar events or transactions connected with football matches and competitions.”

Ibrahimovic’s involvement with Bethard wasn’t exactly hidden, the 39-year-old former Barcelona and Manchester United player announcing his ambassador role and part-ownership in 2018.

He stated at the time:

“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 hometown, and they are true challengers who really wants to do things differently."

Bethard made a post-tax profit of £25.79million in 2019 and Ibrahimovic's Stockholm-based company– UnknownAB - is the fourth-largest owner in it, making it a very profitable off-field investment for the Swede.

It is not yet known whether FIFA will take similar action against the footballer or his club.