(ATR) ICSS CEO Michael Hershman tells Around the Rings the formation of an investigative unit is a big step forward for sport governance.
The International Center for Sport and Security is launching a new Special Investigations Unit to offer independent monitoring for global sport bodies. The unit, led by Hershman, will provide "confidential investigation services and independent advice to support governing bodies, athletes and other stakeholders," he says.
The ICSS is a sport security think tank founded in Doha, Qatar in 2010. The group’s mission is to address the bevy of security issues facing global sport and global sport administrators.
"We now have experts to lead investigations when requested by sports federations or other organizations in sport. We are ready to help," Hershman tells ATR.
Hershman, a U.S. lawyer who has investigated FIFA and the founder of Transparency International, has been with the ICSS for a year.
The SIU will work to investigate "several areas adversely affecting sport," according to the ICSS. These areas include corruption in administration, match fixing, athlete abuse, conflicts of interest and other ethical issues, and human trafficking in sports.
Hershman will be joined by ICSS senior directors Fred Lord and Dale Sheehan in leading the new unit. Both Lord and Sheehan have worked with INTERPOL’s sporting integrity unit.
"With many governing bodies and organizations across the sports movement continuing to adapt their integrity and safeguarding resources, it was vital that the ICSS builds on its existing portfolio of projects." Hershman says.
Hershman knocks back reports that 20 staff have been cut from the 100+ staff of the ICSS which has its headquarters in Doha and multiple offices in Europe. He says the number of staff cut is closer to a dozen and says the reductions were needed "because some staff did not have the skills required for the work we are now doing".
Written by Aaron Bauerand Ed Hula
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