Fifa, football’s global governing body, and the International Federation of Professional Footballers (FIFPro) have linked up with Interpol, the international criminal police organisation, to launch a worldwide campaign to fight match manipulation.
The campaign will focus on raising awareness of the dangers of match manipulation, provide positive role models for players and educate the entire football family on how to recognise, resist and report attempts to manipulate matches.
The joint initiative will begin with the distribution of a DVD that provides players with the key tools they need to fight match manipulation and ensure they understand and trust the information submitted via reporting mechanisms will be treated confidentially.
The DVD will feature a number of well-known names in the football world such as former England international Frank Lampard and current English Premier League player Kolo Toure, who have both been approached by match-fixers during their career.
“We appeal to football participants to contribute towards promoting transparency and integrity through vigilance and a sense of responsibility, and help to protect football,” Fifa secretary general Jérôme Valcke said.
Theo van Seggelen, secretary general of FIFPro, added: “Fifa, Interpol and FIFPro have already initiated significant initiatives in the past.
“By concentrating our resources, we can take our efforts to protect the integrity of the game and its actors to a new level.”
In addition to this campaign, Interpol has partnerships with a number of other major sporting organisations such as the International Olympic Committee.
Ronald Noble, secretary general of Interpol, added: “By the time any investigation into alleged match-fixing begins, the damage has already been done.
“This is why it is essential that the first line of defence – the players and others who control what happens on the pitch – is strengthened.
“This DVD is important in raising awareness about the determination and ease with which organised crime networks target individuals who can find themselves trapped in a downward spiral from which they cannot escape.”
source : www.igamingbusiness.com
