Witness Protection from FIFA; Scoring Shakeup for Boxing; Volleyball Feds Fight On

Witness Protection Vows from FIFA

FIFA's security chief claims the crisis-hit governing body will soon double down on its fight against match-fixing in world football.

"A compliance hotline will be introduced from February 1, an amnesty-consideration procedure is available for three months from February 1 and a whistle-blower policy protecting information and informers will apply throughout the year," security head Chris Eaton was quoted by DPA.

"We will take action and we will protect" witnesses, he added.

His comments followed a meeting about match-fixing at FIFA's Zurich headquarters on Tuesday.

Match-fixing investigations in Asian football and in Italy and Turkey have sullied football's reputation in the past year.

Last May, FIFA signed an agreement with Interpol that provides $29 million over 10 years to fight illegal betting and match-fixing. A new FIFA anti-corruption unit was also created at Interpol's global headquarters in Singapore.

According to Eaton, players are intimidated by crime syndicates into cooperating with their betting schemes and have even been killed to protect what has become a global multi-billion dollar business.

Volleyball Federations Fight On

The World Volleyball and Beach Volleyball Federation apparently isn’t given up its fight against the International Volleyball Federation.

A statement released Thursday by the rival WVBF accuses the FIVB of dominant position abuse, defamation, irregular suspension of athletes and other acts of unfair competition that allegedly amount to more than a financial damages of more than $500,000.

"All these financial losses also correspond to the amounts that could not benefit the poorest children in the world," says the WVBF.

It’s unclear whether legal action is still to come – or was filed years ago – given the most recent action mentioned in Thursday’s statement is WVBF members deciding at their November 2010 World Congress to their long-running dispute with the FIVB to court in Lausanne.

Based in nearby Vevey, the WVBF and now includes more than 100 affiliated national associations, mainly in Africa.

Scoring Switch Ahead for AIBA

Boxing will use its new computerized scoring for one Olympics and one Olympics only.

Reuters reports that the International Boxing Association will drop the supposedly manipulation-proof system after London 2012 in favor of one more in line with professional boxing.

"The current scoring system is based on the punches (landed) so the judge has no other way to judge the boxer," AIBA president C.K. Wu was quoted Thursday by Boxing News.

"10-points must iscomprehensive, with the style of the boxer and their fighting spirit and also the score.

"At the moment there's no way to judge these boxers as performers, showing their style. Muhammad Ali, why is he (great)? Because of his style."

Computerized scoring debuted at the 2011 men’s world championships in Baku to minimize the risk of rigged bouts, a problem at past Olympics.

Chinese Carmaker Sponsors ITTF

GAC Group must have liked its return on investment from the 2011 table tennis world championships in Rotterdam.

After signing on just three weeks before the event, the Chinese carmaker is now extending its support to include title sponsorship for both the 2012 ITTF World Tour as well as the 2014 and 2015 world champs.

"Thedecision of GAC Group to become the title sponsor of the ITTF's 2012 World Tour is a great fit betweenthe ITTF and GAC," said International Table Tennis Federation president Adham Sharara.

"Although the Word Championships provided high brand visibility to GAC over an intensive one-week period, the World Tour will provide regular, all year round, visibility on television providing GAC with a presence all over the world."

Zeng Qinghong, general manager of the GAC Group, added: "After the huge success of the GAC Group 2011 World Table Tennis Championships in Rotterdam we have seen that international table tennis events are an excellent way for us to further promote our growing brand both within China and beyond."

ISAF Issues Olympic Notice of Race

The International Sailing Federation, ISAF, issued Thursday the official Notice of Race for the 2012 Olympics.

Contained in the 10-page document are all the rules and regulations sailors will have to comply with at the Games. Click here to read the Notice of Race.

Sailing events are scheduled for July 29 through Aug. 11 at Weymouth and Portland.

F1 Federation Recognized by IOC

High-octane Formula 1 racing might join the Olympics someday.

The sport’s governing body, FAI or the International Automobile Federation, announced Wednesday it was provisionally recognized by the IOC. According to an FAI press release, if the federation forms an athletes’ commission, it would be permanently recognized.

With the recognition, the FAI may participate in IOC activities and is steps away from joining the Olympic program.

FAI’s statement made no mention of becoming an Olympic sport, and its inclusion would likely be some years away, if ever.

"I am delighted the FIA is now part of the Olympic family as this is a confirmation of the strength of our sporting credentials as well as a recognition of the values of Respect, Excellence and Friendship which we actively share with the Olympic movement," said FAI president Jean Todt.

"The FIA strongly shares the Olympic sporting values as expressed by the IOC and aimed at developing a better understanding between communities worldwide" FAI said in its statement.

"With this is mind the FIA affirms its commitments to respect the Olympic Charter."

U.S., Canadian Curlers Take on World

It’s North America versus everyone else at curling’s World Financial Group Continental Cup now underway in Langley, British Columbia.

Four teams from host Canada and two from the U.S. are pitted against squads from Norway, China and two apiece from Sweden and Scotland.

Competition across five disciplines – team games, mixed doubles, singles, mixed Skins and skins – in four days will determine this year’s winner.

North America holds the all-time edge 4-3 over Team World after the two sides alternated every edition to date.

Aussie Open on Tap

It’s back to work for reigning Olympic champion tennis players Rafael Nadal, Roger Federer, Stanislas Wawrinka and Serena Williams.

The sport’s first major tournament of the year, the Australian Open, kicks off in earnest Sunday with Beijing bronze medalist and world No. 1 Novak Djokovic as the men’s favorite.

Caroline Wozniacki of Denmark is top seed on the women’s side.

IIHF Continental Cup

Final four play begins Friday in the IIHF Continental Cup.

Rouen Dragons of France, Yunost Minsk of Belarus, HC Asiago of Italy and Donbass Donetsk of Ukraine are the last ones left in Europe’s annual club tournament.

Yunost are defending champs, but Rouen will have home ice advantage.

Written by Matthew Grayson and Ed Hula III.

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