Weekly integrity in sport update from INTERPOL 1-7 February 2016

In this week's media recap we see, once again, that media attention fixed on the Australian Open. A report from former top Australian sport officials indicate fresh claims that matches are fixed every week, at all levels of tennis. This trend is replicated all over the world.

Sanctions were reported in three countries of three continents. Of particular interest is the case reported in Australia, where a female cricketer was banned for six months, with another 18 months suspended, for placing bets on the third Test between Australia and New Zealand in November 2015. It is pertinent to note that, she was sanctioned despite the fact that the amount of money she bet was quite low (six bets totaling $15.50).

CURRENT INVESTIGATION

Australia

This year’s Australian Open was overshadowed by allegations on 16 players in the top 50 being involved in match-fixing. According to a joint investigation on Tennis match fixing by BBC and Buzzfeed, it is said that the investigation started after anonymous sources provided them with ‘cache of documents’. These documents opened up to allegations on ‘widespread suspected match fixing at the top level of world tennis, including those at Wimbledon.’ It was also stated that out of the 16 players, 8 were playing in the Australian Open. In fact, one match on a mixed doubles first round was suspected of match-fixing. One day after the first Grand Slam was over, former top Australian sports officials revealed fresh claims that matches are fixed every week, at all level of tennis, and all over the world. This expands the option for the international black markets to earn millions of dollars. A Four Corners investigation is now dealing with the latest allegations. “Suspect matches are happening multiple times every week across all levels of tennis right around the globe,” Richard Ings, former ATP executive and anti-doping head, told ABC reporters. He said his reports were never opened. This happened in 2005 when he first notified the tennis authoritites. According to Four Corners investigation, authorised bookmakers have a ‘secret blacklist’ that involves more than 350 professional tennis players, playing low-level tennis, were given the freedom to play ‘less than their best’. As per the report, more than 40 professional matches were flagged in 3 months last year. This number is quite alarming.

Source: AP, "Match-Fixing Allegations In Tennis Continues, 350 Professionals Are Blacklisted By The Bookies", 3 February 2016, Australia Network News, https://www.australianetworknews.com/match-fixing-allegations-tennis-continues-350-professionals-blacklisted-bookies/

ODDS AND ENDS

Japan

Tokyo -The latest threat to the Rio de Janiero Olympics, scheduled to begin on August 5, is the threat of serious birth defects and other diseases caused by the mosquito-borne Zika virus. And what does this bode for the Tokyo Olympics in 2020? Nikkan Gendai (Jan 21) doesn’t know. Instead, it’s got its eye on a completely different type of pestilence: Russian-based organized crime groups that it says are already drooling over the prospects of a lucrative earnings in the period leading up to, and during, the Tokyo Olympic games. Some 5,000 to 6,000 Russian criminal gangs are said to be operating, within the boundaries of the Russian republic as well as abroad. One of their ways of generating profits has been match-fixing in tennis and other professional sports. The World Anti-Doping Agency (WADA) has tied up with the International Criminal Police Organization (ICPO) and cracked down vigorously on drugs, resulting in Russia last November being ruled in breach of WADA codes, along with Argentina, Ukraine, Bolivia, Andorra and Israel. The crackdown is said to have cut substantially into gang revenues.

Source: AP, "Russian gangs set sights on 2020 Olympic opportunities", 7 February 2016, Japan Today, https://www.japantoday.com/category/kuchikomi/view/russian-gangs-set-sights-on-2020-olympic-opportunities

Kenya

No Kenyan football premier league player, referee, coach, or a club owner who will be allowed to bet in the 2016 Kenya Premier League season that kicks off next weekend.

Kenya Premier League Chief Executive Officer Jack Oguda says, that this will help curb cases of match fixing, thus ensuring the standards of the game are maintained.

This comes at a time where cases of conflict of interest arise between the running of the league and the current KPL title sponsors Sportpesa.

Source: AP, "KPL Players banned from gambling to avoid match fixing", 4 February 2016, Mediamax network, https://www.mediamaxnetwork.co.ke/k24-tv/197363/kpl-players-banned-from-gambling-to-avoid-match-fixing/

Monday, 08 February 2016