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Zlatan wins doping defamation case

Manchester - The Varmland District Court in Sweden has handed Ulf Karlsson a £2,180 fine for defaming Zlatan Ibrahimovic with allegations of doping.

The former Swedish national track coach accused Ibrahimovic of doping during the Manchester United star's time playing for Juventus from 2004 to 2006.

Karlsson said during a panel discussion last year that he was "convinced" Ibrahimovic had used substances to help him gain "10 kilograms of muscles" within one year while at Juventus.

He later made similar comments to a local newspaper.

Karlsson did not present evidence and and later issued an apology to Ibrahimovic, but the Sweden striker still filed a defamation suit.

The Swedish court found Karlsson guilty of aggravated libel against Ibrahimovic for suggesting the footballer used performance-enhancing substances.

The court in Karlstad ordered Karlsson to pay 24,000 Swedish krona, with the judge saying: "The court’s opinion is that in the context of what was said Ulf Karlsson gave the impression that Zlatan was doping during his time at Juventus."

Ibrahimovic has never tested positive for doping during his career.

The former Milan and Juventus striker who has been named Swedish player of the year a record number of times attributes his longevity and fitness to practicing Taekwondo which he holds a black belt in.

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