CONTROVERSIA
Portrait of Zlatan Ibrahimović

Photo: Colleen Sturtevant · CC BY-SA 4.0 · Wikimedia Commons

Born in Sweden · Nationality Swedish — Sport / football / sporting discipline / media / personal life

Zlatan Ibrahimović

Sport

Former Swedish international footballer, now an executive/adviser within the AC Milan organisation.

Documented profile covering 10 controversies, including “2013: comments about women's football and comparison with men criticised as sexist” and “2015: sent off against Chelsea in Champions League — one-match UEFA suspension”.

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Profile No. 1700 · Updated on 12 October 2026

Portrait of Zlatan Ibrahimović

Photo: Colleen Sturtevant · CC BY-SA 4.0 · Wikimedia Commons
10Documented controversies
12Sources
0Formal charge · all time
0Conviction

§ Legal statuses reflect the documented sources as of the date shown; they replace neither court decisions nor the presumption of innocence. Counts are not a rating. Methodology

I. Documented controversies

01

2021-01-26–2021-04

2021: altercation with Romelu Lukaku — FIGC fine for unsportsmanlike conduct, no racism charge

Civil / administrative proceedings

Ibrahimović and Lukaku engaged in a heated verbal altercation during an Italian Cup derby; the FIGC sanctioned both players for unsportsmanlike conduct.

State of the evidence
Settlement

Sources · 2

  1. [1]
    FIGCComportamento antisportivo: ammende per Ibrahimovic, Lukaku, Milan e InterOfficial documentVery high reliability
  2. [2]
    Sky SportsRomelu Lukaku and Zlatan Ibrahimovic fined for heated Coppa Italia clashPressHigh reliability

Last verified: 13 September 2026

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02

2021-05-26

2021: financial interest in betting company — €50,000 UEFA fine

Civil / administrative proceedings

UEFA sanctioned Ibrahimović for having a financial interest in a betting company in breach of its regulations.

State of the evidence
Documented
Attribution
Directly implicated

Sources · 1

  1. [1]
    UEFAAB: Mr. Zlatan Ibrahimović – AC MilanOfficial documentVery high reliability

Last verified: 13 September 2026

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03

2011–2021

2021: controversy over lion hunt in South Africa — South African authorities dispute allegation of unlawful captive hunting

No legal proceedings

Swedish media revived controversy surrounding a lion killed by Ibrahimović during an earlier hunting trip to South Africa and imported as a trophy.

State of the evidence
Documented
Attribution
Directly implicated

Sources · 1

  1. [1]
    Svensk JaktZlatans lejon: Sydafrikanska myndigheter tillbakavisar Expressen-uppgifterPressMedium reliability

Last verified: 13 September 2026

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04

2019-11-27–2020

2019: acquires stake in Hammarby — Malmö supporters' anger and vandalised statue

No legal proceedings

Ibrahimović's acquisition of a substantial stake in Hammarby, a Swedish rival of his former club Malmö FF, triggered intense anger among some Malmö supporters.

State of the evidence
Documented
Attribution
Directly implicated

Sources · 1

  1. [1]
    Euronews / ReutersZlatan Ibrahimovic statue set alight and vandalised by angry Malmö fansNews agencyVery high reliability

Last verified: 13 September 2026

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05

2019-05-11–2019-05

2019: grabs Sean Johnson by neck — two-match MLS suspension for violent conduct

Civil / administrative proceedings

The MLS disciplinary committee suspended Ibrahimović for two matches and imposed an undisclosed fine for violent conduct during an altercation with New York City FC goalkeeper Sean Johnson.

State of the evidence
Documented
Attribution
Directly implicated

Sources · 1

  1. [1]
    Major League SoccerMLS Disciplinary Committee suspends Zlatan Ibrahimovic two gamesSports governing bodyVery high reliability

Last verified: 13 September 2026

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06

2019-05–2019-08

2019: two MLS sanctions for simulation/embellishment

Civil / administrative proceedings

MLS found Ibrahimović responsible for simulation or embellishment in at least two separate incidents during the 2019 season and imposed undisclosed fines.

State of the evidence
Documented
Attribution
Directly implicated

Sources · 1

  1. [1]
    Major League SoccerMLS Disciplinary Committee DecisionsSports governing bodyVery high reliability

Last verified: 13 September 2026

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07

2018-05-21

2018: slap to Michael Petrasso in MLS — straight red card

Civil / administrative proceedings

Ibrahimović was sent off following video review for striking or slapping Michael Petrasso on the head after the defender stepped on his foot.

Attribution
Directly implicated

Sources · 1

  1. [1]
    Major League SoccerMontreal Impact 0, LA Galaxy 1 | 2018 MLS Match RecapSports governing bodyVery high reliability

Last verified: 13 September 2026

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08

2015-03-11–2015-03-19

2015: sent off against Chelsea in Champions League — one-match UEFA suspension

Civil / administrative proceedings

Ibrahimović was sent off following a challenge on Oscar during the second leg of the Champions League round of 16 against Chelsea; UEFA imposed a one-match suspension.

State of the evidence
Documented
Attribution
Directly implicated

Sources · 1

  1. [1]
    The GuardianZlatan Ibrahimovic gets one-match ban for red card against ChelseaPressHigh reliability

Last verified: 13 September 2026

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09

2015-03-15–2015-05

2015: tirade against refereeing and France after Bordeaux–PSG — four-match suspension reduced to three

Civil / administrative proceedings

Following a defeat at Bordeaux, Ibrahimović insulted the refereeing and said he had never seen good referees in this 'shit country', triggering a political and sporting storm.

State of the evidence
Documented
Attribution
Directly implicated

Sources · 2

  1. [1]
    Al JazeeraIbra gets four-match ban for expletive-laden rantPressHigh reliability
  2. [2]
    SBS / ReutersPSG striker Ibrahimovic's suspension cut to three matchesNews agencyVery high reliability

Last verified: 13 September 2026

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10

2013-12

2013: comments about women's football and comparison with men criticised as sexist

No legal proceedings

Ibrahimović sparked controversy by arguing that performances or awards for Sweden's men's and women's teams should not be compared and joking about the possibility of giving a bicycle as a present.

State of the evidence
Documented
Attribution
Personally implicated

Sources · 1

  1. [1]
    The GuardianZlatan Ibrahimovic branded 'boring' and 'sad' for women's football remarksPressHigh reliability

Last verified: 13 September 2026

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II. Constellation of documented links

  • Linked profile (portrait or initials) — click to open it
  • Line width: number of documented references
  • Hover over or tap a line: controversies and sources

Two profiles are linked when a documented controversy of one names the other. The link points to that controversy and its sources; it does not indicate a personal relationship.

List of documented links (2)
  1. Massimiliano Allegri1 documented reference
  2. Pep Guardiola1 documented reference

III. Has something changed?

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