South Asia: UNODC workshop strengthens knowledge sharing and cooperation on safeguarding sport from corruption

Vienna, Austria/21 June 2023: Safeguarding the essence of sports from corruption is of paramount importance as it undermines the core values of credibility, fairness, and inclusivity. Through concerted efforts aimed at prevention, the establishment of national legislation, and the forging of strong collaborations, UNODC has been at the forefront in supporting these initiatives. As part of their ongoing efforts, UNODC has conducted regional workshops worldwide, with the latest gathering key stakeholders from South Asia on June 21 in Vienna.

With support of the International Cricket Council (ICC), International Olympic Committee (IOC), FIFA, and generously funded by the European Union (EU), the workshop focused on raising awareness about corruption risks in sport, facilitating the exchange of good practices, and strengthening cooperation. Representatives of sports organisations and law enforcement from South Asia joined the dialogue.

The workshop highlighted that manifestations of corruption in the context of sport include fraud, money-laundering, abuse of authority, competition manipulation (also commonly known as match-fixing) and illegal betting, among others. Discussions noted the growing interest of international community and sports organizations to tackle the problem, exemplified by UNCAC COSP resolutions (2017,2019), G20 actions, 2021 UNGASS Declaration, among others.

Participants discussed the unique challenges posed by the cross-border nature of corruption, including the limited access to witnesses and evidence, along with the complexities of navigating different legal frameworks in various jurisdictions.

Participants noted the need to bridge gaps and strengthen cooperation between law enforcement agencies, sports organizations, and criminal justice entities to counter corruption networks. In this direction, UNODC’s Global Operational Network of Anti-Corruption Law Enforcement Authorities (GlobE Network), serves as a platform for frontline anti-corruption law enforcement across the globe to exchange vital information.

Several steps were identified by the speakers to mitigate corruption risks in sports. These measures include conducting corruption risk assessments and external audits, educating all stakeholders involved, 'tagging' corrupting actors, and protecting the space around players by limiting their interactions with external parties.

The discussions culminated in a series of recommendations aimed at strengthening the fight against corruption in sports. These recommendations include supporting more effective application of existing legislation, developing mechanisms for open, confidential, and anonymous reporting of wrongdoing involving both sport and non-sport stakeholders, establishing national mechanisms and contact points for international cooperation between sports bodies, law enforcement agencies, and anti-corruption entities, and enhancing the understanding of the interconnections between corruption and organized crime in sports through threat assessments, awareness campaigns, and collective responses.

The Conference of the States Parties to the United Nations Convention against Corruption (UNCAC) held its eighth session in the United Arab Emirates in December 2019. At that session, the Conference reiterated the importance of addressing corruption in sport through the adoption of resolution 8/4 on Safeguarding Sport from Corruption, requesting UNODC to support its implementation and to further strengthen measures against corruption in sport.

By addressing corruption and safeguarding the integrity of sports, the UNODC is determined to ensure that the spirit of fair play and inclusivity remains at the heart of athletic competitions in South Asia and beyond.

This activity contributed to SDG 16 and SDG 17: https://sdg-tracker.org/

(Supported by the European Union)