Council of Europe Convention on fight against manipulation of sports competitions
Council of Europes Committee of Ministers has adopted a Convention on the manipulation of sports competitions. The purpose of this Convention is to prevent, detect, punish and discipline the manipulation of sports competitions, as well as enhance the exchange of information and national and international cooperation between the public authorities concerned, and with sports organisations and sports betting operators.
The Convention calls on governments to adopt measures, including legislation, notably:
- Prevent conflicts of interest in sports betting operators and sports organisations;
- Encourage the sports betting regulatory authorities to fight against fraud, if necessary by limiting the supply of sports bets or suspending the taking of bets ;
- Fight against illegal sports betting, allowing to close or restrict access to the operators concerned and block financial flows between them and consumers.
Sports organisations and competition organisers are also required to adopt and implement stricter rules to combat corruption, sanctions and proportionate disciplinary and dissuasive measures in the event of offences, as well as good governance principles.
The Convention also provides safeguards for informants and witnesses.
Due to its worldwide scope, the Convention shall be opened for signature by member states and non-member states of the Council of Europe on the occasion of a ministerial conference organised on 18 September at Macolin (Switzerland).
Context :
The drafting of this Convention began in October 2012 and received contributions from 51 delegations (including national experts in the field of sport, betting regulations and the authorities responsible for law enforcement) and collaboration with representatives of the sports movement, betting operators and lotteries.
Convention on the manipulation of sports competitions
Source: Council of Europes press release 09/07/2014