by Renee Israel
A recent investigation into the major causes of corruption in sport
revealed that the greatest factor is doping, which accounts for almost 96
percent of corruption in the industry, followed by betting and non-betting match
fixing at under 3 percent, followed by misuse of inside information at under 1.5
percent.
The investigation into corruption in the sports industry was undertaken by
Coventry University's International Centre for the Business of Sports (CIBS) on
behalf of the Remote Gambling Association (RGA), European Gaming and Betting
Association (EGBA) and the European Sports Security Association (ESSA).
Professor Simon Chadwick from Coventry University's CIBS said, "There is
growing interest, and indeed concern, in the issue of corruption in sport. Thus
far however, there has been no systematic or structured review on corruption and
so our study represents the first of its kind.
"The study clearly sheds some light on the nature, type and extent of
corruption in sport. This enables us to more clearly identify where there are
particular concerns and issues. As such, this should enable organisations
involved in sport to more effectively address the challenges posed by
corruption.
"And for those of us working in the sports industry, the next challenge is
therefore to formulate appropriate responses aimed at minimising the threat
posed by the various different forms of corruption that our research team
identified,' he said.
Match-fixing and Betting Less Than Expected
The findings of the report will be of specific interest to the licensed
betting industry. Up to this point, many have felt that match-fixing is the most
substantial element of corruption the sport industry and that match-fixing is
primarily connected to betting. The report does not substantiate these claims.
Samantha Gorse, principal CIBS researcher said, "From our research it was
quickly apparent that doping remained the predominant issue within sport.
However, in relation to the 3% of match-fixing cases we were particularly
surprised, given the focus of much of the media coverage in recent months, that
there was nearly as much non-betting related match fixing, as betting related.
Whilst not an attempt to fix the result, the level of the misuse of inside
information for financial gain appears to present another important challenge
for many sports and licensed betting operators."
Clive Hawkswood, RGA chief executive stated emphatically that they are not
complacent about match-fixing, but he does recognise that match-fixing "is in no
way comparable to the problem of doping in sport."
