EU Athletes completed education program against match fixing

Androulla Vassiliou, European Commissioner for sport, said: “Match-fixing is a complex problem with many sides to it. But one very important element that the European Commission focuses on in our efforts to tackle match-fixing is prevention. In this respect, educational programmes and awareness raising campaigns can have a significant impact by reaching those most at risk of being approached to fix matches - the athletes themselves. I therefore very much look forward to the results of the project lead by EU Athletes and the European online betting industry.”

EU Athletes three day tutor training seminar heard first-hand from the police, the online betting industry, and former athletes on how to behave properly in relation to sports and betting. The purpose of the seminar was to give the player associations’ tutors tools to use during the locker room visits, when they are educating the players face to face.

The seminar is part of a ground breaking co-financed campaign by the European Commission and the European licensed online betting industry that targets 15,000 athletes in 13 countries in more than 10 different sports (including football, rugby, basketball and handball). The educational campaign is based on 6 main principles:

-Know the rules of your sport relating to betting 

-It is safest to never bet on your own sport 

-Be careful about handling sensitive information 

-Fixing any part of an event is an absolute No-No 

-Report any approaches 

-Fixers will be caught: Suspicious bets are monitored

Jean-François Reymond, Secretary General of EU Athletes, added: “Our education project is unique in its focus on face-to-face education delivered directly into the locker rooms by people the players know and trust. This personal touch is giving players the knowledge to make sure they don’t gamble with their careers.”

Maarten Haijer, Secretary General of the EGBA and co founder of this program said: “The EGBA is proud to be part of this campaign, which EGBA and the European Sports Security Association (ESSA) pioneered together with EU athletes back in 2010. Education is fundamental to combat the scourge of match fixing that hurts sports and operators alike.”

Clive Hawkswood, Chief Executive of the RGA added: “The Berlin seminar has demonstrated again the importance of player education and has thrown a light on what more might be achieved in the years to come by continued cooperation between the European Commission, betting operators, athletes associations and indeed anyone else who is committed to safeguarding the integrity of sports."