From fraud to bribery, from illegal betting to doping, from match-fixing to money laundering: Corruption in Sport is a global phenomenon threatening the integrity of the overall industry and posing a major challenge for today’s societies. The International Partnership Against Corruption in Sport (IPACS), a multi-stakeholder initiative to strengthen efforts to eliminate corruption and promote a culture of good governance in the field, is organising a High-level event in London (Mansion House, Walbrook, 6thDecember), bringing together senior figures from governments, sports bodies and international organisations to analyse sport’s vulnerability to corruption.
Deputy Secretary General Gabriella Battaini Dragoni will take part in the conference together with Minister of Youth Affairs and Sports of France, Roxana Maracineanu. Welcome remarks will be provided by the Minister for Sport and Civil Society of the United Kingdom Mims Davies.
IPACS aims at :
- Reducing the risk of corruption in procurement relating to sporting events and infrastructure;
- Ensuring integrity in the selection of major sporting events, with an initial focus on managing conflicts of interests;
- Optimising the processes of compliance with good governance principles to mitigate the risk of corruption.
Background
IPACS (International Partnership Against Corruption in Sport) is an informal network established in 2017 by the United Kingdom Government, the Council of Europe, the International Olympic Committee and the OECD to bring together intergovernmental institutions, international sports’ organisations and governments, combining the efforts of the various stakeholders in the fight against corruption in the governance of sport. The Council of Europe’s commitment within IPACS comes from its intergovernmental co-operation on sports policies (EPAS) and from GRECO, the monitoring body on anti-corruption policies.
Adopted declarations:
- The Anti Corruption Summit organised by the UK Government in London (May 2016);
- The Council of Europe Conferences of Ministers responsible of Sport in Budapest (November 2016), and Tbilisi (October 2018, with a focus on good governance);
- The International Forum for Sports Integrity organised by the International Olympic Committee (IOC) in Lausanne (February 2017).
Council of Europe has developed co-operation with key actors in the field of sport and the sport movement. A Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) has been concluded with WADA (World Anti-Doping Agency) in November 2016 and a MoU has been signed in Strasbourg with UEFA (Union of European Football Associations) on May 30th and with FIFA on last 5thOctober.
Council of Europe Conventions in the fields of sport and anti-corruption:
Anti Doping Convention
Council fof Europe Convention on the Manipulation of Sports Competitions
Council of Europe Convention on an Integrated Safety, Security and Service Approach at Football Matches and Other Sports Events
Criminal Law Convention on Corruption
Ceremony of signature of Convention on the Manipulation of Sports Competitions
The Minister for Sport and Civil Society of the United Kingdom Mims Davies will sign in a ceremony (The Grange Hotel, St Pauls, 6th December) with Deputy Secretary General the Convention on the Manipulation of Sports Competitions (known as “Macolin Convention”).