The International Centre for Sport Security (ICSS) is to work with Lega Italiana Calcio Professionistico (Lega Pro) across sport integrity issues, with a focus on match-fixing.
As part of the agreement, the ICSS and Lega Pro will share knowledge and information across sport integrity, and work on best practices. Lega Pro will draw upon ICSS expertise in international integrity and investigations.
Mohammed Hanzab, President of the ICSS, said: “The ICSS and our team of world-leading experts is committed to being a driving force in sport integrity. As well as this important new partnership with Lega Pro, the ICSS works with national governing bodies and law enforcement agencies to advise and inform on all issues of fraud, corruption and match-fixing in sport. The ICSS, alongside our partners and supporters, is leading the fight to uphold sporting integrity and this agreement is another important step towards developing a unified effort to tackle the issues of match fixing and corruption in sport.”
The agreement follows the ICSS’s recent appointment at the Leaders in Football conference by Liga Nacional de Fútbol Profesional (LFP) – the representative body of the professional football clubs of Spain’s first and second divisions.
Francesco Ghirelli, Director of Lega Pro and Chief of Integrity Office, said: “Lega Pro holds the fight against betting fraud and the fight against doping and any other illegal practice in sports as its top priorities. The continuous work done during meetings with all the clubs’ members, including players, coaches, managers, referees, inspectors of the League and members of the clubs’ youth sections, is starting to change the perception of the criminal phenomena and, as a consequence, the reaction to such phenomena.”
The partnership with Lega Pro was signed on the eve of a United Nations hosted forum “Sport Integrity – a right for youth” attended by the worlds of sport, government, international development and child protection, and organised by the Permanent Missions of Italy and Qatar, with the Group of Friends on Sport for Development and Peace, the ICSS and Lega Pro.
Meanwhile signed at the forum was a partnership between ICSS and UNICEF in Brazil.
Recognising that hosting mega sport events may pose risks to children, UNICEF and the ICSS will collaborate to promote integrity, child protection, safety and security in sport. They will engage in activities to promote sport integrity values and safeguard children from illicit activities. A three-year programme will begin with a field visit to Brazil.
Mohammed Hanzab, President of the ICSS, said: “At the ICSS, we believe that early awareness and education is crucial and through this partnership with UNICEF in Brazil and via the ‘Save The Dream’ initiative, we will be supporting a range of activities. These will include seminars and educational tools to protect young people and teach them about integrity in sport, as well as helping them understand the benefits of positive values like fair play, respect, loyalty and team spirit. Only when sport is clean and has these values at its heart can it fully contribute to peace and development around the world.”
Gary Stahl, representative to UNICEF in Brazil said: “There are significant risks to children around major sporting events such as child labour and increased violence. This agreement with the ICSS is an important step for creating a safe and protective environment for Brazilian girls and boys. UNICEF urges all stakeholders of the mega events to team up to protect and build a lasting and positive legacy to children and adolescents in Brazil.”
