FIFA and UNODC Join Forces to Combat Match Manipulation
The global football governing body, FIFA, has joined forces with the United Nations Office on Drugs and Crime (UNODC) to combat match manipulation. This collaboration seeks to amplify awareness of FIFA’s confidential reporting system and motivate athletes, trainers, and referees to recognize, oppose, and disclose match-fixing activities.
Both organizations urge individuals who have been approached by suspected match-fixers to report corruption to FIFA through their official website, email, or integrity application.
FIFA has stated that the current global health crisis, the novel coronavirus (COVID-19) pandemic, and the accompanying economic instability have heightened integrity risks for athletes and teams worldwide.
This year’s International Anti-Corruption Day focuses on the importance of “Recovery with Integrity,” featuring messages from prominent figures within FIFA, including its female player of the century, Sun Wen, retired Colombian defender, Ivan Cordoba, and German referee, Bibiana Steinhaus.
The Fédération Internationale de Football Association (FIFA) and the United Nations Office on Drugs and Crime (UNODC) inked a significant pact in September to combat criminal activity in sports. Their goal is to deter individuals from manipulating games and ensure the well-being of children and young athletes.
FIFA’s leader, Gianni Infantino, described this as a substantial stride towards eradicating fraud and dishonesty in football. He emphasized the necessity of collaborative efforts to guarantee the safety of players, coaches, and referees in reporting any irregularities, especially in the wake of the pandemic.
Ghada Waly, the head of the UNODC, highlighted the paramount importance of sports in promoting physical health and aiding post-pandemic recovery. She stressed the need for a clean and ethical return of sports, free from manipulation. The UNODC is actively collaborating with FIFA to curb match-fixing and other forms of corruption within the sporting realm.
Collaborating with authorities, sporting bodies, and all involved parties, we can leverage the UN Convention Against Corruption to combat match manipulation and guarantee fair play for everyone.
The Global Lottery Monitoring System (GLMS), an organization committed to safeguarding the integrity of wagering, witnessed a substantial surge in dubious betting activity during the third quarter of 2020, issuing over 450 warnings.
This signifies a 116.3% rise compared to the corresponding period the previous year. Alerts associated with football were the most prevalent, with 370 warnings issued during the quarter. Europe issued 259 alerts, Asia issued 55 alerts, North America issued 17 alerts, Africa issued 9 alerts, and Oceania issued 4 alerts.
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