Football Federation Australia (FFA) has reaffirmed its commitment to protecting the integrity of Australian football against match fixing.
Responding to the Europol report on betting in world football, FFA CEO David Gallop said, “Match fixing and sports betting are serious matters that have the potential to cause serious damage to the integrity and image of any sport.”
“While our National Code of Conduct contains strong provisions relating to betting and match-fixing, as a governing body we have put significant processes in place to try and safeguard against betting and match-fixing related issues, including ensuring athletes receive education specifically on betting and match-fixing. We have also taken steps to enter into product fee and integrity agreements with a number of betting operators in Australia and, most recently, we’ve commenced a partnership with Sportradar.
“FFA is a member of the Coalition of Major Professional & Participation Sports (COMPPS), the National Integrity of Sport Unit and has product fee and integrity agreements in place with leading betting operators.
“We are determined in our efforts to eliminate the potential of match-fixing from football.”
In December 2012 FFA commenced a 18 month agreement with Sportradar, an independent world leading betting monitoring organisation, to create another level of deterrence to match fixing in the Hyundai A-League.
Sportradar is a world leading supplier of betting and integrity related services with over 400 clients in more than 60 countries across five continents, including 30 state lotteries, betting operators, state authorities, law enforcement institutions and various global sports federations.
Importantly, Sportradar has particular expertise in relation to monitoring football matches as it list of clients also includes UEFA, the English FA, the Estonian FA, the French League (LFP), Roland Garros (FFT), the German FA, the Scottish FA, the Czech FA, and the Italian Lega Pro.
FFA’s commitment to deterring any form of corruption in the Hyundai A-League remains ardent. This includes its support of the National Integrity of Sport Unit announced by Minister for Sport Kate Lundy in November last year.
FFA conducts, through its Speaker’s Bureau, an annual betting education program for all professional football players in the Hyundai A-League and Westfield W-League.
FFA is currently working with the Australian internet wagering and sports betting industry to establish industry standard product fee and integrity agreements to ensure there is transparency and high level reporting on the betting markets available on the Hyundai A-League.
It is FFA’s stated mission to finalise product fee and integrity agreements with all major betting operators operating in Australia.