Ibra risks bets rap

FROM BACK PAGE managers, coaches, officials and club employees, are prohibited from betting on matches, transfers, managerial appointments, team selection or disciplinary matters.

The rules also forbid individuals from advertising or promoting any betting activity that they are prohibited from being involved in – and that’s where Swedish international star Ibrahimovic might be treading dangerously.

The FA rules on betting have been tightened up in recent years to cover not only the placing of bets on matches, but involvement with companies that promote gambling.

Joey Barton (above) is banned from playing until June 1 after placing 1,260 bets on matches over a 10-year period in breach of FA rules.

Although Ibrahimovic has not placed any bets, the FA are likely to want to clarify the extent of his involvement to see if any of its rules have been broken.