A word from the chair

 George Mavrotas

"Manipulation of sport competitions constitutes one of the major threats for sport along  with doping and violence (of any kind). The Council of Europe is on the frontline against manipulation of sport competitions, with the Macolin Convention being the only legally-binding international treaty on this subject.

I am deeply honored and thankful to be elected as Chair in the Follow-up Committee of the Macolin Convention that has the important role to coordinate the main actors, to monitor its implementation and eventually to encourage more countries to ratify the Convention. I strongly believe that combating manipulation of sport competition is a “team sport”, a collective effort. We must join forces as much as we can and make this fight a global challenge. Governments, sport movement, international organisations, law enforcement, betting authorities, are all in the same team against a common opponent. Moreover, we must have in mind that our task is not a sprint race, but rather a marathon run, in which there is no time to waste.

The Macolin convention is about sport values and how to protect them in the modern era. The Follow-up Committee is from now on the Macolin “vehicle” which is for us a great challenge and an even greater responsibility. Along with my colleagues in the Committee and the Bureau, with the valuable help from the Secretariat and the whole organisation of Council of Europe, we are going to work towards these directions, and show that the Macolin Convention is active, effective and attractive for all those who want to join forces in order to protect sport and its values."

THE FOLLOW-UP COMMITTEE

The Macolin Committee has been set up to monitor the implementation of the Convention by its States Parties. After its first meeting on 24 and 25 November 2020, its main tasks will be the following:

  • Assess the compliance of States Parties legislation, policies and practices with the Convention;
  • Make recommendations to the Parties on measures to ensure efficient co-operation between the relevant public authorities, sports organisations and betting operators;
  • Prepare opinions to the attention of the Committee of Ministers of the Council of Europe; and
  • Promote the Convention and inform relevant stakeholders and the public about the activities undertaken within the framework of the Convention.

The Committee is composed of representatives of States Parties as well as Observers.

THE T-MC BUREAU

The Bureau of the Follow-up Committee is currently composed as follows:

  • Chair: Georges Mavrotas, Greece
  • Vice-Chair: Wilhelm Rauch, Switzerland
  • Elected members:
    • Eirik Haugen Tysse, Norway
    • Natalia Chiriac, Republic of Moldova
    • Nataliia Radchuk, Ukraine
Follow-Up Committee meetings

The Group of Copenhagen

The Council of Europe's Network of National Platforms Group of Copenhagen was established in 2016. This Advisory Group brings together 33 countries represented by Coordinators. The Network has laid the groundwork for transnational cooperation thus enabling the exchange of information, experience and expertise essential to combating the manipulation of sports competitions.