INTERPOL Match-Fixing Task Force closes ranks on organized crime

 LYON, France – A global INTERPOL conference has closed with a call to share more intelligence identifying the organized crime groups behind match-fixing.
 
INTERPOL’s 10th Match-Fixing Task Force (IMFTF) meeting brought 80 officials from global law enforcement, international organizations, government departments and worldwide sporting associations under one roof to identify new ways to investigate and cooperate in cases related to sports corruption and match-fixing.

Delegates saw how INTERPOL is in the process of setting up a dedicated Criminal Analysis File (CAF) to help countries share intelligence and build a better picture of the organized crime groups involved in match-fixing.

With responding to the challenges of competition manipulation high on the agenda, particularly as it relates to money laundering and corruption, INTERPOL’s 10th Match-Fixing Task Force included a closed-door meeting for investigators to share intelligence and detect emerging match-fixing tactics.

INTERPOL’s 10th Match-Fixing Task Force (IMFTF)

NTERPOL’s 10th Match-Fixing Task Force (IMFTF)

INTERPOL’s 10th Match-Fixing Task Force (IMFTF) Meeting brought together 80 officials from global law enforcement, international organizations, government departments and worldwide sporting associations

INTERPOL’s 10th Match-Fixing Task Force (IMFTF) - Ingrid Beutler (IOC)

INTERPOL’s 10th Match-Fixing Task Force (IMFTF) - Michael Roberts - Project STADIA

INTERPOL’s 10th Match-Fixing Task Force (IMFTF) - Claudio Marinelli (INTERPOL Match FixingTask Force)

INTERPOL’s 10th Match-Fixing Task Force (IMFTF) - Jose De Gracia

INTERPOL’s 10th Match-Fixing Task Force (IMFTF)

INTERPOL’s 10th Match-Fixing Task Force Meeting closed with a call to share more intelligence to identify the organized crime groups behind match-fixing.

INTERPOL’s 10th Match-Fixing Task Force (IMFTF)

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With responding to the challenges of competition manipulation high on the agenda, particularly as it relates to money laundering and corruption, the two-day (11 and 12 September) meeting included a closed-door meeting for investigators to share intelligence and discuss emerging match-fixing tactics.

Delegates learned that INTERPOL is in the process of setting up a dedicated Criminal Analysis File (CAF) to help countries share intelligence and build a better picture of the organized crime groups involved in match-fixing.

“We need to understand the business model of organized crime in order to tackle it, and this is what a CAF will help us establish,” said INTERPOL’s Director of Organized and Emerging Crime, Paul Stanfield, underlining the importance of ‘going after the money to identify the criminals behind the activity and to take the incentive out of the crime’.

“Input from our law enforcement members as well as sports organizations is critical to building a tactical intelligence picture, permitting countries to anticipate threats and putting preventative measures in place for a comprehensive and unified approach to the prevention of match-fixing,” added Mr Stanfield.

IMFTF was created in 2011 to support member countries with investigations and law enforcement operations in all sports, and maintain a global network of investigators for the sharing of information, intelligence and best practices.

Since the launch of IMFTF, membership has grown from the initial eight to more than 80 countries, with events and workshops organized in more than 25 countries benefiting over 2,500 individuals.

The following countries sent law enforcement officials to attend the meeting : Algeria, Australia, Austria, Belgium, Czech Republic, Denmark, Estonia, Finland, France, Germany, Ghana, Hong Kong (China), Ireland, Italy, Former Yugoslav Republic of Macedonia, Malta, Moldova, Netherlands, Portugal, Qatar, Romania, Russia, Senegal, Singapore, Slovenia, Spain, Sweden, Switzerland, Tanzania, Thailand, Ukraine, United Kingdom, Zambia.

In addition to law enforcement, participants included delegates from all continents representing the International Olympic Committee, International Federation of Association Football, Union of European Football Associations, Tennis Integrity Unit, European Handball Federation, Sportradar, the Hong Kong Jockey Club, Global Lotteries Monitoring System, the Group of Copenhagen National Platforms Network under the Council of Europe and UNODC.