UK joins EU wide anti-match fixing convention

UK Sports Minister Mims Davies has officially signed the Macolin Convention, an EU-wide agreement which aims to prevent match-fixing in sport.

The treaty, also known as the Council of Europe Convention on the Manipulation of Sports Competitions, is the only international legally-binding instrument against match-fixing.

It aims to combat illegal betting, bad governance, insider information, conflicts of interests and the use of clubs as shell companies. Lastly, it aims to educate sports governing bodies about the importance of good governance and the education of athletes on match-fixing issues.

Speaking at the signing of the convention, Davies called match-fixing a real threat to the integrity of sport across Europe, paying tribute to the work of the Gambling Commission and the Sports Betting Integrity Forum in combatting it.

Highlighting the need not become complacent in this area, Davies, added: “It is a cross-border issue, and only through a coordinated international effort can we mitigate the risks.”

Richard Watson, Gambling Commission executive director for enforcement and intelligence called the UK’s participation in the convention a “demonstration of the UK’s commitment to international collaboration” in the fight against corruption in sport.