UEFA have announced that they have launched an investigation into the alleged ethnic slur that Zlatan Ibrahimovic was subject to last week.
Ibrahimovic was targeted with an ethnic insult during Milan’s 2-2 draw with Red Star last week, according to multiple reports. The Swede remained an unused substitute as the Rossoneri twice surrendered a lead and had to settle for a draw in the first leg of their Europa League Round of 32 tie.
According to SportBible, the 39-year-old was abused as he sat in the stands of the infamously hostile Marakana stadium. Footage shows a group of fans shout at him despite the game being played behind closed doors. The report claims that the tirade was: “You pus**, stinky balija, I fu** you in your mouth.”
Ibrahimovic has a Croatian mother who is Catholic and Muslim Bosniak father who emigrated to Sweden, hence the personal nature of the remarks.
UEFA – through an official statement published on its website – confirmed that they are looking into the matter as per their responsibilities as European football’s governing body.
“In accordance with Article 31 (4) of the UEFA Disciplinary Regulations, Ethics and Disciplinary Inspector was appointed today to conduct a disciplinary investigation Accident occurred during the UEFA Europa League round of 32 match between Crvena zvezda and AC Milan (2 -2) , played on 18 February 2021 in Serbia. Information on this matter will be made available in due course.”
