Key conclusions and recommendations

• Author: Argyro Elisavet Manoli
• Pages: 54-56

54

7.0Key conclusions and recommendations

7.1Key conclusions

The need to tackle corruption in sport is an important element of EU’s policy on sport

integrity. The rapid literature review undertaken for this study has shown that the more

detailed empirical studies of corruption in the EU tend to focus on the prevalence of

match-fixing and doping cases. This is reflected in the mapping research for this study as

despite adopting a broad definition of corruption in setting the parameters of the

research, the vast majority of cases identified from recent years in the sample countries

were identified as either doping or match fixing cases.

The mapping research has emphasised the complex interplay of factors and contextual

issues that can influence match-fixing activity. The research has also provided insights in

to the diversity of match-fixing practices and its association with other types of

corruption such as bribery and betting. Specific examples of match-fixing have also

revealed the importance of factors such as pay levels of athletes and the level of media

exposure of specific matches.

Aside from match-fixing and doping, themapping review has revealed very few

examples of other types of corruption in sport across the EU. This does not necessarily

mean that other types of corruption do not exist as such cases may be more difficult to

detect through mapping exercise which isreliant on using rapid research approaches

across a range of countries. The broader academic literature review indicates however

that due to the lack of a transparent system of reporting in sport, the sport industry has

become a fertile ground for other corruption activities such as money laundering and tax

evasion.

The mapping of responses at the Member State has revealed a variety of measures that

have been implemented in recent years. These include: new legislation; new policy

initiatives; tighter regulations; more stringent fines; organisational restructuring;

educational programmes; multi-stakeholder platforms for information sharing; and

whistleblowing initiatives.

Based on a limited number of case studies, the research has highlighted a number of key

conclusions with regard to the effectiveness of responses and particular features of

promising practices in this area:

There is evidence that the introduction of stricter legal penalties reduces

levels of match-fixing: Legal penalties have been shown to work in countries

where there was previously a high prevalence of match fixing.

There is a need to focus on preventative measures as well as legal penalties:

the case studies have highlighted a range of education and awareness raising

initiatives that have been shown to be successful in terms of take-up amongst sport

professionals and, based on anecdotal evidence, their ability to improve

understanding, influence behaviour and encourage reporting of suspicious behaviour.

The role of multi-stakeholder groups for preventing and tackling corruption

in sport: some case studies have highlighted the potential for involving all relevant

actors in addressing specific corruption practices including judicial bodies,

government ministries, national sport agencies and federations.

There is an increasing emphasis on promoting ‘good governance’ practices

in sport federations:such codes are being introduced in order to address other