Doping is a hindrance to sports ethics and a threat to the health of athletes. Historically, doping was the first of the Council of Europe's concerns in sport.  As early as 1967 the Committee of Ministers produced the first international legal instrument on this matter.  Since then, the Organisation has continued to strengthen its commitment to eliminating doping from sport. The Anti-Doping Convention, adopted in 1989, is accompanied by an additional protocol (2002).

The Macolin Convention, adopted in 2014, aims to facilitate national co-ordination and international co-operation against the threat of the manipulation of sports competitions, whether this is linked to criminal activity or to sports betting, or not. 

Adopted in 2016, this convention is the only internationally binding instrument to address the organisation of sports events by establishing an integrated approach based on three interdependent pillars: safety, security and service. It promotes co-operation between all public and private stakeholders, including supporters, in order to provide a safe, secure and welcoming environment at football matches and other sports events.

The principal aim of this convention, adopted in 1985, is to prevent and control violence and misbehaviour by spectators, as well as to ensure spectator safety during sports events. Since 1985, the approach to the organisation of sport events has changed and the Standing Committee that monitors this convention has accompanied this development, now reflected in a new Convention on Safety, Security and Service at sports events (2016).  States that ratify the new convention will denounce simultaneously the European Convention on Spectator Violence.