MILAN: Zlatan Ibrahimović is back in Italy and ready to sign a new contract with AC Milan.
“Finally, everything is in place and finally I can return to where I feel at home,” Ibrahimović said upon his arrival at Milan’s Linate airport late Saturday.
The 38-year-old Ibrahimović is expected to sign a one-season deal worth $8.3 million.
Ibrahimović began his second stint with Milan in January on a six-month contract and helped turn the Rossoneri’s season around with 10 goals in 18 Serie A matches.
Seven-time European champion Milan finished sixth in the Italian league and earned a Europa League spot.
“As I’ve always said, I’m not here to be a mascot. I’m here to bring results and to help the team, the coach and the squad return to where Milan should be,” Ibrahimović said in a video on Milan’s website.
“We had a great last six months but we haven’t won anything,” he added. “This year I’ve got the chance to be here from the start so we’ve got to continue like we were, working hard and sacrificing ourselves to reach our goals.”
Serie A opens Sept. 19.
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Ibrahimović ready to sign new contract at AC Milan
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Ibrahimović ready to sign new contract at AC Milan
- Ibrahimović is expected to sign a one-season deal worth $8.3 million
China bans 73 persons from soccer for life in latest anti-corruption controversy
China banned 73 persons from soccer for life on Thursday and deducted points from nine top-tier clubs in its latest anti-corruption campaign.
Former national team coach and Everton player Li Tie and Chen Xuyuan, former president of the Chinese Football Association (CFA), were among those banned.
“For 73 industry personnel, including Chen Xuyuan and Li Tie, whose criminal offenses have been confirmed by effective judicial judgments, the CFA has imposed lifetime bans on participating in any football-related activities,” a CFA official said.
In 2024, Li — who managed the national team from 2019 to 2021 — and Chen were convicted of accepting millions of dollars in bribes. Li was sentenced to 20 years in prison, while Chen received a life term.
Nine Chinese Super League clubs were also punished with point deductions and fines.
Shanghai Shenhua, which finished second last season, and Tianjin Jinmen Tigers were hardest-hit. The two clubs were each docked 10 points and fined 1 million yuan ($143,788). Defending champion Shanghai Port will start the 2026 season with five points deducted.
“The point deductions and financial penalties imposed on clubs are based on the amount, nature, seriousness and social impact of the improper transactions in which each club was involved,” the CFA said, adding that it would maintain its “zero-tolerance” policy toward corruption.
In September 2024, 43 officials and players were hit with lifetime bans.
Former national team coach and Everton player Li Tie and Chen Xuyuan, former president of the Chinese Football Association (CFA), were among those banned.
“For 73 industry personnel, including Chen Xuyuan and Li Tie, whose criminal offenses have been confirmed by effective judicial judgments, the CFA has imposed lifetime bans on participating in any football-related activities,” a CFA official said.
In 2024, Li — who managed the national team from 2019 to 2021 — and Chen were convicted of accepting millions of dollars in bribes. Li was sentenced to 20 years in prison, while Chen received a life term.
Nine Chinese Super League clubs were also punished with point deductions and fines.
Shanghai Shenhua, which finished second last season, and Tianjin Jinmen Tigers were hardest-hit. The two clubs were each docked 10 points and fined 1 million yuan ($143,788). Defending champion Shanghai Port will start the 2026 season with five points deducted.
“The point deductions and financial penalties imposed on clubs are based on the amount, nature, seriousness and social impact of the improper transactions in which each club was involved,” the CFA said, adding that it would maintain its “zero-tolerance” policy toward corruption.
In September 2024, 43 officials and players were hit with lifetime bans.
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