- Multi-stakeholder conference on combatting sport manipulation and match-fixing was held in Bucharest, Romania
- Event was co-hosted by CSCF Foundation for Sport Integrity and Romania’s National Agency for Sport
- FIFPRO Legal Director Roy Vermeer was one of the event speakers and provided a player-centric perspective on the need to protect footballers from match-fixing
Romania became the latest European nation to benefit from the IntegriSport 3.0 initiative, where the country’s law enforcement and judiciary gathered for awareness-raising sessions on combating sport manipulation.
Co-hosted by CSCF Foundation for Sport Integrity and Romania’s National Agency for Sport, the event on 11-12 April brought together Romanian government officials, law enforcement agencies, sport federations and player unions.
IntegriSport 3.0 is established by the CSCF Foundation for Sports Integrity to provide theoretical and practical support for law enforcement and judiciaries in Austria, Bulgaria, Estonia, Greece, Romania, and Spain on fighting match-fixing. It is co-financed by the European Union. The initiative aimed to:
- Strengthen law enforcement and judiciary involvement in Romania to bolster integrity in sports.
- Heighten awareness and education on sport manipulation and match-fixing.
- Enhance collaboration among law enforcement, judiciaries, sport organisations, the betting industry and stakeholders to provide a united front to combat sport manipulation.
The event in Romania marked the sixth under the IntegriSport 3.0 project, following on from the awareness raising practical sessions in Austria, Bulgaria, Estonia, Greece and Spain.
CSCF Foundation for Sport Integrity Director Norbert Rubicsek said: “The vivid discussion by Romanian authorities on issues and solutions gives the impression that significant steps are already underway in Romania's fight against sports manipulation.
“Additionally, it has provided us with valuable insights into new directions for supporting stakeholders and the imperative to strengthen national cooperation in combating manipulation in sport.”
How unions are protecting players against match-fixing
Football is one of the most-targeted sports by international organised crime, who will often exploit vulnerable footballers in financial difficulties, such as those not regularly receiving their salary from clubs.
To protect players and support the fight against match-fixing, FIFPRO launched the Red Button app in 2020, which allows footballers to report match-fixing approaches safely and anonymously.
The Red Button app is distributed by FIFPRO and its member unions and is recognised by FIFA's dedicated integrity department and UEFA as a valid reporting tool.
FIFPRO Legal Director Roy Vermeer was one of the speakers at the IntegriSport 3.0 event in Romania, providing a player-centric perspective on the need to protect footballers against match-fixing.
"When the football system fails the players systematically, such as when clubs are not paying them when contractually obliged, it can result in organised criminals approaching vulnerable players and seizing an illegal opportunity,” said Vermeer.
“The Red Button app is designed to protect players and empowers them to report match-fixing approaches safely and anonymously to law enforcement and authorities in their country.”
Vermeer reaffirmed the need for cross-stakeholder collaboration to combat sport manipulation and says athletes require the unwavering support of law enforcement and judicial bodies to be protected in clean sports.
“Match-fixing and sport manipulation is a problem at both national and international level and it is not uncommon that also the players are the victims in these situations,” he said.
“Ultimately, footballers want a clean sport and the right to a safe workplace. That is why a unified approach amongst stakeholders and the support of law enforcement and judiciaries is crucial when it comes to tackling this issue.”
Learn more about the Red Button app
