Fine imposed on Ibrahimovic

The football star Zlatan Ibrahimovic (39) was accused of illegal having a financial interest in betting provider Bethard. UEFA and FIFA rules forbid such participations with the aim of preventing betting and game manipulations. Some weeks ago we had already reported, that this could in the worst case scenario mean the end of his career for the Swedish professional football player.

After it was made public, that the Swedish player of exceptional talent has a share in the sports betting provider Bethard, and after pressure from the media, UEFA has started disciplinary procedures against the 39 year old. In the beginning of May of this year, we reported about the Bethard-financial interest of Ibrahimovic as well as the threat to his career which could end suddenly. Around two weeks ago a judgement against the player was announced.

Only 50,000 Euro fine for Ibrahimovic

As it was recently announced, UEFA has concluded the detailed investigations against the Swedish professional football player and it has now come to a judgement. For his financial interest in the betting provider Bethard, the Swede must pay a fine amounting to 50,000 Euro. To be more precise, Ibrahimovic is said to have a share of ten per cent of Bethard.

In an investigation which was carried out, UEFA raised the question, whether Ibrahimovic infringed the rules of integrity and ethics of football. The result is less surprising: Both active sports persons as well as officials which come under the umbrella organisation, are forbidden, from holding shares in gambling companies or in participating in sports betting. According to the investigation, Ibrahimovic has infringed Article 12 of the Disciplinary Regulation of the European Football.

Besides the fine which was imposed on Ibrahimovic, his current club, AC Milan, was also imposed with a fine amounting to 25,000 Euro. At the end of the day, the club did not intervene, even though it was aware of the Bethard-shareholding. The fine for Ibrahimovic turns out to be acceptable. A few weeks ago there had been talk of a three year game ban for Ibrahimovic. Because of the age of the player, that would have meant an end to his professional career.

At the same time, Ibrahimovic was ordered, to end his financial interest in Bethard with immediate effect. Bethard generated a profit amounting to 30 million Euro after taxes, and this just in 2019. For Ibrahimovic, who has ten per cent of the shares through the company "Unknown AB", this is therefore a very lucrative business.

Ibrahimovic himself has still not commented about the recent judgement. Recently he defended his share in Bethard and referred to the great sympathy which he has for the Swedish company.

Conclusion

Ibrahimovic and his club, AC Milan, came out comparatively light with a fine of 75,000 Euro. In the worst case scenario, the Swedish professional player could have faced a game ban of three years, which would have definitely meant the end of his career. The FIFA, as well as the UEFA are still being criticised that they had known about the cooperation between Ibrahimovic and Bethard since 2018.

Image Source: https://pixabay.com/de/photos/fußball-anpfiff-beginn-mittelpunkt-3475163/