“The Macolin Convention is the first and only international treaty to clamp down on the serious, transnational, organised crime that is match-fixing. A crime which not only threatens the rule of law, but which is especially corrosive for trust in sport because it cuts against our most basic instincts of fair play”, said Deputy Secretary General Gabriella Battaini-Dragoni, while opening the international conference on the fight against the manipulation of sports competition -  Promotion and Implementation of the Macolin Convention.

The event gathers 143 delegates coming from 46 countries and five continents (including participants from Australia, Ivory Coast, Kenya, Morocco, Qatar and United Arab Emirates), representing international organisations (European Union, UNESCO, Interpol, Europol, International Olympic Committee, FIFA, UEFA), public authorities, law enforcement bodies, sports’ movement, betting operators, business community and regulators, meeting to discuss the priorities to be implemented as part of the Council of Europe Convention on the Manipulation of Sports Competitions, known as “Macolin Convention”. Its entry into force will be an essential step towards efficient responses to sports manipulation world-wide.

• Interview with Gabriella Battaini-Dragoni
• Interview with Des Tomlinson, Football Association of Ireland
• Speech by Gabriella Battaini-Dragoni
• Match fixing video
• Photo gallery

Background:

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 co-operation 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, by allowing the closing or restricting of access to the operators concerned and blocking 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.