A statue of football star Zlatan Ibrahimovic has been vandalized after former Malmo striker invested in rival football club Hammarby.
According to the police, the statue was vandalized on Wednesday after Zlatan Ibrahimovic announced that he has acquired a stake in rival Stockholm-based football club Hammarby. A property he owns in Stockholm was also vandalized, with the word "Judas" sprayed on it.
Ibrahimovic started his career at Malmo, the hometown soccer club. As a result of his investment in Hammarby, his statue in Malmo was vandalized with a racist messaged sprayed onto the ground.
Malmo police has opened up a case to investigate the vandalism of the statue outside the local football stadium while a separate case was opened for the unlawful threats made against Ibrahimovic.
In response to the incidents, Ibrahimovic said: "Hammarby is a fantastic club with passionate supporters and is well respected in both Stockholm and Sweden. I have always liked the club and its fans, and I'm also impressed with the club's achievements over the last years, both on and off the pitch. To be part of and to assist Hammarby in its progress feels both fun and exciting."
While he has bought a stake at Hammarby, the star has clarified that he has no intention of playing for the club.
Ibrahimovic is Sweden's leading international goalscorer with 62 goals in 116 games and has played for some of the biggest clubs in Europe, including Ajax, Juventus, Inter Milan, Barcelona, Paris Saint-Germain and Manchester United. He also spent the past two seasons with the LA Galaxy in the US.
Earlier this month, the 38-year-old striker confirmed that he will be leaving LA Galaxy at the end of his contract after a successful stint in Major League Soccer (MLS). Ibrahimovic signed with LA Galaxy in March 2018 after playing with Manchester United.
