New UEFA match-fixing initiatives

A key element of UEFA's wide-ranging activities is the fight against match-fixing, which is considered as one of the major threats to football's integrity and overall well-being. European football's governing body is now launching a further set of initiatives that will reinforce the campaign to rid the game of this negative phenomenon.

Following the creation in 2009 of the UEFA Betting Fraud Detection System, which monitors more than 32,000 European matches a year, UEFA has developed a number of activities designed to protect the integrity of European football.

The damage caused by match-fixing and corruption has been a priority for both UEFA President Michel Platini and the UEFA Executive Committee in recent years, and will remain so in the future. Education plays a particularly vital role in the prevention of match-fixing, and UEFA gives regular presentations to young players, referees and coaches to warn them of the dangers linked to the manipulation of football matches.

Bearing in mind these key principles, UEFA is now introducing new measures designed to prevent match-fixing in football – an Integrity App, an Integrity Reporting Platform and freephone number, and e-Learning opportunities for young players.

Mobile device App
An Integrity App is now available for mobile devices (iPhone; iPad; Android) in seven languages.

This app contains a wealth of information related to match-fixing, and includes videos, a 'Frequently Asked Question' section and the latest integrity news. It also includes the possibility to report incidents of match-fixing and corruption to the Integrity Reporting Platform mentioned below, and to access a personal Postbox to obtain any eventual replies which UEFA may give.

To download the app free of charge, search for 'UEFA Integrity' in the App Store (iPhone) or in Google Play (Android)

Integrity Reporting Platform and freephone number
A multi-language reporting platform and freephone number (+800 0001 0002) have been in place for several years.

Initially this was made available to players, referees and coaches, and enabled them to report any incident of match-fixing directly to UEFA.

This system has now been extended to allow any person who has valuable information related to match-fixing to provide it to UEFA.

The reporting can be done anonymously if so desired, and is completely confidential. Even if the reporter chooses to remain anonymous, a dialogue with this person can be established through the use of a personal incident number and password.

e-Learning
An e-Learning tool on match-fixing has also been launched to educate youth players who participate in European competitions. This interactive tool uses the declaration of a player convicted of match-fixing offences in his domestic league, and is followed by a series of questions which the student must complete. UEFA will be able to monitor the answers provided by each participant, and provide them with further education if necessary.