ESSA signs integrity deal with Rugby Football Union

ESSA has entered into a partnership with the Rugby Football Union, the national governing body for rugby union in England.

The two parties have signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) that will enable ESSA to employ its monitoring and alert system to pick up on suspicious betting activities around RFU-governed events.

ESSA works with members around the world to monitor suspicious patterns and has similar partnerships in place with various other major sporting bodies.

“While no instances of betting related match-fixing have to date been identified in English rugby union we need to continue to be vigilant,” RFU legal and governance director Angus Bujalski said.

“We have already put in place a range of measures to raise awareness and to set clear rules to maintain the integrity of the game.

“This MoU is another important milestone in that process and complements our existing work. English rugby has so far been free of betting related match-fixing and we are working hard with our partners such as ESSA to ensure that it remains that way.”

Khalid Ali, general secretary at ESSA, added: “No one can or should be complacent in the face of criminal elements intent on corrupting any sport to defraud betting companies.

“The RFU is among a group of sports bodies that have made important and effective strides in this area and ESSA remains committed to working in partnership with those responsible organisations.”

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