Safeguarding Sport from Corruption and Economic Crime

INTRODUCTION TO CORRUPTION IN SPORT

Corruption is a crime against sport. It undermines integrity, distorts fair competition, diminishes public trust in the values of athletic achievements and erodes the social and economic benefits that sports can provide.

KEY STAKEHOLDERS IN COMBATING CORRUPTION IN SPORT

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STRATEGIES FOR COMBATING CORRUPTION IN SPORT

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Corruption in sport takes various forms and extends beyond the field:

Sport-specific corruption

Sport-specific corruption involves corrupt acts that are unique to sports, primarily competition manipulation (also commonly known as match-fixing) and illegal betting.

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Sports-related corruption

Sports-related corruption refers to corrupt acts that are not directly linked to the competition itself but to the various aspects of its planning, implementation and administration, such as the management of major sports events, the transfer of athletes and the governance of sports organizations.

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Interlinkage with other crimes

Corruption in sport is also interlinked with other crimes, creating a multiplier and amplifier effect that turns sports into a vehicle for facilitating illicit activities and manipulating entire communities.

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Scope of corruption in sport

The scope of corruption in sport is vast, affecting a range of levels from amateur competitions to the highest professional leagues and international events. Corruption in sport is characterized by:

Cases of sports corruption have been reported in virtually every region of the world, involving both local and international actors.

Corruption in sport is often facilitated by complex networks that can involve athletes, coaches, referees, agents, officials, illegal betting operators, outside actors and even governing bodies.

The international dimension of many sports complicates the detection and prosecution of corrupt practices, necessitating cooperation between countries and international bodies to combat corruption effectively.

Organized criminal groups often exploit sports as a vehicle for money-laundering, illegal betting and other illicit activities.

Harmful impact

The harmful impact of corruption in sport is extensive and can manifest in the following ways:

Damage to the sport’s integrity: When corruption is prevalent, the fairness and unpredictability of competitions are replaced with predetermined outcomes, eroding public trust and diminishing engagement and support.
Legal and reputational damage: Sports organizations and governing bodies implicated in corruption scandals face severe legal repercussions and reputational damage, resulting in lengthy legal battles and difficulties in attracting talent and investment.
Economic consequences: The economic impact of corruption can be devastating, with sponsors withdrawing support, fans disengaging and revenues from broadcasting and merchandising declining.
Social and cultural damage: Sports often serve as a source of national pride and cultural identity. Corruption scandals damage this social fabric, leading to disillusionment among fans and weakening the unifying power of sports.
Legal and regulatory strain: The widespread nature of corruption in sport forces legal and regulatory bodies to allocate significant resources to investigate and prosecute corruption cases, often navigating complex, cross-border issues.
Threat to athlete welfare: Athletes may be coerced or pressured into participating in corrupt activities, putting their careers and personal well-being at risk. This can lead to lifetime bans, legal consequences and the destruction of their reputation in and outside of sport.
Loss of future talent: Corruption can hinder young athletes from reaching the highest levels of their discipline due to dishonest practices and manipulation. Corruption scandals can also discourage young athletes from pursuing careers in sports.
Undermining of sportsmanship: Corruption directly undermines the values of fair play and sportsmanship that are essential to the spirit of sport. It devalues the achievements of honest athletes and fosters a culture in which winning by any means, regardless of ethics, is deemed acceptable.

Involved actors and motivations

Corruption in sport can involve various actors, each driven by a wide range of motivations, with the primary ones being:

Organized criminal groups can infiltrate and exploit sports organizations and the transfer market for purposes such as money-laundering, competition manipulation and illegal betting. Their involvement often connects to other serious crimes, including human trafficking, extortion and drug trafficking, driven primarily by financial gain and the pursuit of power and influence within the sports industry.

Sports agents may engage in corrupt practices, such as offering or accepting bribes to influence the decisions within a sporting organization to maximize their commission or secure lucrative deals for their clients or bad-faith third party actors.

In some cases, athletes may be the perpetrators of corrupt acts, acting either independently or as part of a larger hierarchy, whether solely within the organization or as part of a larger scheme, such as an organized criminal group.

This includes individuals in positions of power within sports organizations, such as presidents, CEOs and board members. Officials within sports governing bodies may be influenced by bribes or other incentives to skew a bidding and/or selection process to enrich themselves or to favour certain clubs or athletes.

Executives involved in sponsorship or hospitality deals may engage in corrupt practices to secure contracts or gain competitive advantages in the organization of major sports events.

This may include family members and friends, who may be eager to participate in corruption or may be coerced into doing so.

United Nations

Office on Drugs and Crime

Corruption and Financial Crime Branch

Safeguarding Sport from Corruption and Economic Crime

INTRODUCTION TO CORRUPTION IN SPORT

KEY STAKEHOLDERS IN COMBATING CORRUPTION IN SPORT

STRATEGIES FOR COMBATING CORRUPTION IN SPORT

Corruption in sport takes various forms and extends beyond the field:

Sport-specific corruption

Sports-related corruption

Interlinkage with other crimes

Scope of corruption in sport

1 | Global reach

2 | Multilayered involvement

3 | Cross-border nature

4 | Involvement of organized crime

Harmful impact

Involved actors and motivations

1 | Organized criminal groups

2 | Sports agents

3 | Athletes

4 | Sports officials within governing bodies

5 | Business executives

6 | Sideline actors

United Nations

Office on Drugs and Crime

Corruption and Financial Crime Branch

Safeguarding Sport from Corruption and Economic Crime

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INTRODUCTION TO CORRUPTION IN SPORT

KEY STAKEHOLDERS IN COMBATING CORRUPTION IN SPORT

STRATEGIES FOR COMBATING CORRUPTION IN SPORT

Corruption in sport takes various forms and extends beyond the field:

Sport-specific corruption

Sports-related corruption

Interlinkage with other crimes

Scope of corruption in sport

1 | Global reach

2 | Multilayered involvement

3 | Cross-border nature

4 | Involvement of organized crime

Harmful impact

Involved actors and motivations

1 | Organized criminal groups

2 | Sports agents

3 | Athletes

4 | Sports officials within governing bodies

5 | Business executives

6 | Sideline actors