UEFA have opened an investigation into Zlatan Ibrahimovic over “alleged financial interest in a betting company”.
The news comes after Ibrahimovic signed a one-year contract extension with AC Milan last week as a reward for his excellent tally of 15 goals in 17 Serie A games this season.
The new deal means the iconic striker will be playing top-flight football into his 40s, while he also made an emotional return to the Sweden set-up last month.
But his career has been plunged into doubt with news he is facing a UEFA probe, with the governing body appointing an official to investigate a potential breach of their Disciplinary Regulations.
In sports, it is a very big crime for sports men, coaches or managers to have betting companies or be involved in betting and if found guilty such a person could be banned from the sport or given a hefty fine.
In a statement on its website, 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 Ibrahimovic for having an alleged financial interest in a betting company.
“Further information regarding this matter will be made available in due course.”