INTERPOL Integrity in Sport Bi-Weekly Bulletin - 6 March - 19 March 2018

Over the last two weeks, a number of new and ongoing investigations were reported. The All India Football Federation (AIFF) confirmed that its Integrity Officer is investigating a fixing attempt in its I-League. In Thailand, the National Police Chief and his assistant have submitted a report on Match Fixing in Football to the Prosecutor’s office. It is the first time police have concluded and forwarded the results of an investigation to prosecutors since the Professional Sports Promotion Act came into force in 2013.

In Wales, three people face charges over a football match-fixing probe and a local illegal gambling ring.

Following a meeting of Boxing’s governing body AIBA Referees and Judges Committee, all referees and judges who officiated at the Rio 2016 Olympic Games could be permanently banned from officiating as part of an investigation into match-fixing, it has been reported.

In the Republic of Korea, police have arrested an online sports betting operator and a pro computer gamer for fixing an eSports match.

In Australia, authorities are investigating the dealings of an allegedly illegal Bitcoin Sports betting operator based abroad, and for breaching the country’s Interactive Gambling Act.

Malta is an important hub for gambling and sports betting and seeks to review and consolidate its gambling legislation, including imposing obligations on operators to monitor sports betting and report suspicious bets in order to clamp down on match-fixing.

In the United States, the debate on imposing an integrity fee linked to the legalizing sports betting spurs debate, and raises questions on the amateur model of the NCAA. A high betting turnover on an amateur competition creates risks for the integrity of the game. On the same topic, Australian bookmakers and the National Rugby League discuss imposing a product fee for gambling on matches in order to fund the NRL integrity department.

In terms of new policies, the Council of Europe and its partners held a first meeting to launch KCOOS+, a project that offers countries technical assistance to combat competition manipulation. In the United Kingdom, the Sports Betting Integrity Forum (SBIF) has published its 2018 Action Plan, outlining Britain’s ongoing approach to the integrity of sport and sports betting.

In Greece, clouds are hanging over Greek Football and its violence-ridden championship, while in Portugal a corruption probe has been opened involving Benfica Football Club and the Portuguese Justice Ministry.

Finally, INTERPOL and the International Olympic Committee hosted three days of Integrity in Sports Workshops and Trainings for Romania and Moldova (13 – 15 March 2018).

Tuesday, 20 March 2018