International initiatives

• Author: Argyro Elisavet Manoli
• Pages: 18-23

18

4.0International legal framework and initiatives

4.1Introduction

Maintaining the principles of integrity of competition has become a key priority for

international bodies, national and European sport federations and governments alike.

This section outlines some particular European and international initiatives currently

focused on tackling corruption in sport. Such initiatives are relevant in understanding

how the EU can best focus its efforts and add value in tackling corruption.

4.2Relevant legal and disciplinary instruments

The United Nations Convention against Corruption and the United Nations Convention

against Transnational Organized Crime form the international legal basis with which

corruption and criminality in sport can be addressed.

The Convention against Corruptionis the only legally binding universal anti-corruption

instrument. The Convention, which has 186 States parties

8, requires countries to

establish criminal and other offences to cover a wide range of acts of corruption.

Viewed through the articles of the Convention against Corruption, match-fixing can be

linked to six criminal offences9:

- Active and passive bribery in the public sector;

- Active and passive trading in influence; and

- Active and passive bribery in the private sector10.

The need to comprehensively address these risks of corruption in sport at the

international level was very recently recognized with the adoption of resolution 7/8 on

Corruption in Sport, by the Conference of States Parties to the United Nations

Convention against Corruption at its seventh session, held in Vienna from 6 to 10

November 201711.

Tabled by Italy and co-sponsored by France on behalf of the European Union, the

resolution represents a significant milestone in addressing corruption in sport, not least

the fact that it was supported by over 180 States parties to the UNCAC. It covers a wide

range of issues, which States parties have committed to addressing including:

Strengthening cooperation and enhancing partnerships between relevant

stakeholders;

Further understanding and raising awareness of the threats of corruption to sport

Supporting and developing capacities to detect corruption in sport;

Ensuring that corruption does not undermine sport’s contribution the

advancement of gender equality and the empowerment of women;

Establishing and strengthening legal frameworks and law enforcement measures

to tackle corruption in sport;

8The updated list (including ratifications) is available at :

http://www.unodc.org/unodc/fr/treaties/CAC/signatories.html .

9 See also JONES K.,The Applicability of the “United Nations Convention against Corruption” to the Area of Sports

Corruption (match-fixing), International Sports Law Journal, 2012 1-2, pp. 57 et seq.

10 IOC-UNODC Study (2013), p. 279.

11https://www.unodc.org/unodc/en/safeguardingsport/international-legal-

framework.html