Fifa links up with Sportradar to bolster integrity efforts

Football’s global governing body Fifa has entered a partnership with Sportradar as part of an effort to enhance the integrity of the sport around the world.

Under the agreement, Sportradar will use its Fraud Detection System to identify and analyse any suspicious betting behaviour or patterns across various national team and domestic competitions worldwide, such as the showpiece World Cup.

Fifa and Sportradar will also work with the governing body’s six continental confederations to ensure findings are provided to the appropriate organisations, and to support relevant follow-up action or disciplinary proceedings.

Sportradar will also deliver a full range of fraud prevention services and provide a programme of educational workshops and e-learning solutions, while players and coaches can access a mobile application to help understand the importance of protecting the integrity of football.

“Preserving the integrity of the game is paramount to Fifa,” Fifa president Gianni Infantino said.

“Given that match manipulation is still a serious concern for everyone who loves the game, Fifa will work with Sportradar, the global leader in match manipulation, detection and prevention, to invigorate and enhance our integrity programme.

“Fifa is committed to tackling match manipulation and protecting the integrity of football for players and fans.”

Carsten Koerl, chief executive of Sportradar, added: “It is an incredible honour to stand side by side with Fifa and also with all the confederations in a clear and unequivocal statement of intent and resistance.

“We have worked hard to earn the trust of a whole range of stakeholders across sport and of course football, and now we have the chance to join up all that work, expertise and insight and to provide the game with such a high level of monitoring and collaboration.”

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