April 11 – Speaking via video link to the first FIFA Integrity Summit being hosted by the Asian Football Confederation (AFC) and the Football Association of Singapore (FAS), FIFA president Gianni Infantino warned that match manipulation “has not gone away”.
“We must ensure that the playing field remains level and the game free of malevolent outside influences, because if it doesn’t, then the very existence of our beloved sport will be under threat. We have to remain on our guard,” said Infantino.
A report by Starlizard Integrity Services last month found that in 2023 betting-related match-fixing in football increased by 16% against 2022.
Starlizard analysed a total of 65,441 football matches in the 2023 calendar year across 835 competitions in 128 different countries. A total of 167 matches showed signs of potential manipulation – 0.26% of the total number of matches analysed.
Infantino said that the issue must be tackled by the world governing body and its member associations “together”.
“FIFA is committed to preventing and sanctioning all forms of match manipulations, corruption and other unethical or illegal activities, but we can only do this with your help,” said Infantino.
“FIFA’s Member Associations are responsible for combating and tackling match manipulation in their territories and nobody is immune from this threat.”
Infantino highlighted the memorandum of understanding signed with the United Nations Office on Drugs and Crime which was renewed in New York last September and which aims to provide the national associations with the knowledge and tools to prevent and tackle match-fixing. A key part of this commitment involves providing education and training to players, referees and integrity officers.
The two-day summit in Singapore was aimed at the integrity officers of FIFA 211 member associations and the six confederations. Topics included updating attendees on global integrity trends, sharing best practices, and presenting the new FIFA integrity handbook and Education Roadmap.
Keynote speakers from FIFA, CAS and law enforcement officers involved in combating match manipulation were also present.
Contact the writer of this story, Nick Webster, at moc.l1713951981labto1713951981ofdlr1713951981owedi1713951981sni@o1713951981fni1713951981