10 Oct 2011

Blog - Fighting match fixing top priority for UEFA

Blog - Fighting match fixing top priority for UEFA  news article image

By Pierre Cornu, Chief Counsel - Integrity and Regulatory Affairs, UEFA

Match fixing is a serious threat to sport. Various sports are affected, but football is especially exposed because of its huge popularity and the high visibility that goes with it. The threat of match fixing has become even more acute since the advent of online betting, which allows bets to be placed not only on the final result of a match but also on relatively minor – and therefore easier to influence – occurrences, such as the first yellow card or first free-kick.

UEFA has made the fight against match fixing one of its top priorities and practises a strict policy of zero tolerance. Action has already been taken: establishment of a system to monitor betting patterns across all UEFA matches and all top division and cup matches of all UEFA’s member associations; strengthening of regulatory provisions; creation of a network of integrity officers (one per UEFA member association) to ensure coordination between UEFA and its member associations on the one hand, and between the associations and their local authorities on the other; creation of an integrity database; cooperation with various institutions, in particular criminal prosecution bodies; preventive measures; opening of a special telephone line (integrity line) to encourage whistleblowing; etc.

This action has already paid off: clubs, officials, players and referees have been severely punished for match-fixing offences. In other cases, inquiries are under way. The measures taken have also clearly deterred potential offenders from going any further (fewer alerts in European competition matches, for example). Stepping up the fight against match fixing entails, in particular, making changes to national legislation, as, for example, has already been done in France, Italy, Poland and Spain (adoption of criminal provisions to crack down specifically on fraud in sport).

Betting laws also need to be adapted to the current situation. UEFA is actively supporting the efforts of the EU and the Council of Europe in these two areas. Naturally, UEFA intends to pursue its own efforts by all appropriate means and is prepared to work with any other body that is also keen to eradicate this phenomenon.

Pierre Cornu, is Chief Counsel, Integrity and Regulatory Affairs in UEFA and speaking on the Sport and Recreation Alliance EU summit: Finding funding and fighting fixing

Latest News

4 Jul 2025

Policy and Advocacy Update: NHS 10 Year Plan and more

Below we provide an update on a number of our current policy-related workstreams, from the announcement of the NHS 10 Year Plan, to a number of additional issues - including planning reforms, the EHRC consultation on gender, Select and APPG inquiries into Healthy Ageing, and Access to Nature.

Read more Arrow Right
20 Jun 2025

Alliance responds as more details announced from Government following its Spending Review

The Sport and Recreation Alliance welcomes Government’s commitment to investing in community sport, recreation and physical activity, and its recognition of the social and economic value it provides.

Read more Arrow Right
12 Jun 2025

Sport, recreation and physical activity sector calls for clear vision from Government as Spending Review signals commitment to national health and growth

The National Sector Partners Group has issued a joint statement following the announcement of the Government’s Comprehensive Spending Review today.

Read more Arrow Right

Become a member

Joining the Sport and Recreation Alliance is pretty simple, but worthwhile!

Register now

Our Partners

Admincontrol logoAir IT logoGateley Legal logoSport:80 logoZellar logo93FT logo