Important role FIFPro in fight against match-fixing

Tuesday 31 August 2010

The Professional Football Strategy Council (PFSC)* has agreed to step up the fight against the growing menace of match-fixing in European football. FIFPro Division Europe has been credited with an important role.

Last Friday the PFSC approved a resolution during its meeting in Monaco, France. The main statements are that the PFSC... 

• believes that fighting match-fixing needs education, prevention and deterrents; 
• invites UEFA to intensify and extend its education program in co-operation with associations, clubs, leagues and players' unions on both European and national level; 
• urges the political authorities to engage with UEFA and national football bodies to adopt legislation, which must be enforced by the law enforcement authorities; 
• demands a policy of zero tolerance towards all those involved in match-fixing.

By signing this resolution, FIFPro has accepted an important role in the fight against match-fixing in football. One of the priorities in this fight is the proper education of footballers, especially the younger players.

It is FIFPro’s task to design a policy aimed at informing the players. They must be taught how to react in case they are approached by suspicious persons. In addition, FIFPro will provide the footballers with a safe environment, in which a player can report irregularities without having to be afraid that it affects his career.

‘We cannot underestimate the menace of game-fixing, therefore we all must do something’, reacts Theo van Seggelen, secretary general of FIFPro Division Europe. ‘By taking this responsibility, FIFPro vows to safeguard the integrity of the game as well as the integrity and the careers of its players.’

* As representative of all professional footballers in Europe, FIFPro Division Europe is one of the four stakeholders of the Professional Football Strategy Council, next to the UEFA (associations), ECA (clubs) and EFPL (leagues).
 

FIFPro Division Europe's Bobby Barnes, Theo van Seggelen and Philippe Piat

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