Protecting Sport Integrity is a shared and collective responsibility': ICSS Chairman tells 14th Council of Europe Conference of Ministers Responsible for Sport

30 November: Budapest, Hungary: ICSS Chairman, Mohammed Hanzab, spoke at the 14th Council of Europe Conference of Ministers Responsible for Sport this week and highlighted how protecting the integrity of sport is a shared responsibility and one that all organisations and individuals working across the sports industry can collectively contribute to.

Bringing together Ministers responsible for Sport, as well as other key stakeholders from across the sports industry – the 14th Council of Europe Conference of Ministers Responsible for Sport discussed two key areas related to protecting sport integrity, including the fight against doping and match-fixing as well as enhancing co-operation between governmental bodies and sport in the area of good governance.

Speaking at the meeting in Budapest, Mohammed Hanzab, ICSS Chairman, said:

"Protecting the integrity of sport is not exclusively owned by one body, country or entity. It is a shared responsibility - one that everyone can collectively contribute to and play an active role in.

"Over six years ago, the ICSS was created to enhance sport safety, security and integrity, drive collective action and work in the best interests of sport.

"However, despite the achievements of the ICSS and the progress made by many other organisations around the world, many challenges continue to threaten the safety, security and integrity of sport and as a result, the important work we are doing must continue."

Hanzab went on to highlight how the ICSS has worked in close cooperation with governments, international federations, academia and sports organisations around the world - including UNESCO, UNODC, UNICEF, the European Commission and Council of Europe – and is continuing to make an ‘active contribution’ to protecting the integrity of sport through numerous research and training resources, including:

· The recently launched ICSS-UNODC Resource Guide on Good Practices in the Investigation of Match-Fixing and Financial Integrity and Transparency in Sport (FITS) Football Study

· The Sorbonne-ICSS Research Programme and Guiding Principles to combat the Manipulation of Sports Competitions – created to support sport, betting and governments to help combat the Manipulation of Sports Competitions and has already contributed to the Council of Europe Convention.

· Working closely with UNESCO to follow-up on the recommendations made in MINEPS V on the manipulation of sports competitions, including hosting a special joint follow-up meeting in 2015.

As part of the ICSS’s integrity work with UN bodies and government bodies, Hanzab also highlighted the ongoing work the Council of Europe, UNESCO and Sorbonne University on a forthcoming handbook on information exchange between governments and the sport movement. ICSS EUROPE has also previously played a leading role in the European Week of Sport, an initiative of the European Commission which aims to promote sport and physical activity across Europe.

In addition to highlighting ICSS projects, Hanzab added:

"As one member of the Sport Integrity Global Alliance, which now involves over 75 international organisations spanning the entire spectrum of the sports industry, this new and independent coalition has made significant and concrete steps in identifying, drafting, discussing and approving minimum standards that aim to benefit and protect the integrity of sport.

"To usher sport into a new era of governance and integrity, the need for action and a concerted, coordinated approach is greater than ever.

"This is why these standards - which have been created by sport for sport - have been designed to strengthen the integrity and governance of sports organisations across the board and, alongside the outcomes of today’s meeting, are a tangible step forward that will contribute to a safer, more secure future for sport."

Taking place on the 28-30 November, the 14th Council of Europe Conference of Ministers responsible for Sport brings together States Parties and key stakeholders from government and sport.

For more information on the Council of Europe Convention on the Manipulation of Sports Competitions, visit http://www.coe.int/t/dg4/sport/match-fixing/convention_EN.asp?

ENDS

NOTE TO EDITORS

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BACKGROUND INFORMATION

About the International Centre for Sport Security (ICSS)

The ICSS is a globally-renowned and respected leader in sport safety, security and integrity.

As an independent and non-profit organisation, the ICSS is at the forefront of efforts to safeguard sport and is an integral player in addressing critical issues in sport such as major event safety and venue security, match-fixing and betting fraud.

Our team of global experts, advisors and specialists has a wealth of experience and knowledge gained from working within leading international sport and governmental organisations, as well as national police forces.

For more details about the ICSS and its work, please visit www.theicss.org or follow us on twitter at @the_ICSS.

For more information:

Will Shand

ICSS

will.shand@theicss.org

+974 333 416 55 / +44 77 52 73 1548

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