UEFA to increase resources in the fight against match-fixing

The UEFA Executive Committee today met in London ahead of the UEFA EURO 2020 final and took the following decisions.

Feasibility study regarding the fight against on-field corruption in European football

The UEFA Executive Committee agreed to increase the resources UEFA invests into the fight against match-fixing and to further develop its internal unit of experts and investigators in the field.

This decision is the result of an independent feasibility study, which demonstrated that intelligence, investigation, and prevention, are the main sectors that need to be strengthened to better fight match-fixing.

The action plan which resulted from the feasibility study focuses among other on strengthening cooperation with relevant international and local authorities, increasing expertise and support for the key persons fighting match-fixing at the national and international level (in particular UEFA member associations’ Integrity Officers), developing a comprehensive education, awareness and training programme, developing and using additional technological tools to better identify integrity concerns and reinforcing the human resources at disposal.

These measures will allow UEFA to realise its potential to strategically accomplish its statutory objectives to prevent all methods or practices which might jeopardise the regularity of matches or competitions or give rise to the abuse of football and to promote and protect ethical standards and good governance in European football.

Additional resources will be invested to tackle and disrupt the operations of organised crime syndicates targeting European football matches and competitions by developing a closer collaboration with Law Enforcement Agencies in Europe.

Changes to HatTrick regulations

It was decided that from the 2022/23 season, UEFA member associations must appoint a dedicated Football Social Responsibility (FSR) officer and develop a comprehensive FSR strategy as of the following season.

UEFA member associations that cannot demonstrate adequate human resources for football and social responsibility must first use part of the funding for this purpose before being eligible to apply for other projects. They can use up to 25% of the funding to cover staff costs.

UEFA will support a maximum of two projects per season that: a) address one or more of UEFA’s FSR policies in a long-term approach and have a clear link to the association’s FSR strategy if it exists; or b) support the development of the association’s FSR strategy, in accordance with UEFA’s FSR policies; or c) contribute to educating staff in FSR.

Next meeting

The next meeting of the UEFA Executive Committee is scheduled to take place in Chisinau, Moldova on 22 September 2021.