Follow Play the Game 2011 live on the web

Many of the most urgent topics from the international sports agenda will be up for debate on Play the Game 2011 from 3-6 October. There is still a chance to register and take part in the debates.

But if you are unable to attend, you can follow the plenary debates and presentations through live streaming from the conference on our streaming page. A number of sessions will also be available afterwards as either audio or video on-demand.

On top of that, we expect to publish most presentations from the speakers and a large number of pictures from the conference.

Read more on the scheduled streaming programme.

You can still join Play the Game 2011!

With a few days to go, it is still possible to register for Play the Game 2011, which will take place at the German Sport University Cologne from 3-6 October under the motto ‘bringing change to the heart of sport’.

It is also possible to join the conference on single days for 200 Euros a day, but the full conference package for 600 Euros is the best value option.

See some of the highlights from the extensive programme:

Strengthen your knowledge, find new stories and expand your network among top minds in international sport.

Find all information on the conference here. And register here.

Analysis: What are the prospects for FIFA reform?

That FIFA has governance problems is now generally recognized, but what are the prospects for reforms?

Roger Pielke, Jr. asks this question in his analysis 'What are the prospects for FIFA reform?', arguing that because FIFA lies outside the reach of virtually any means of accountability, we should not expect meaningful reform until strong mechanisms of accountability are in place.

In his article Pielke explains what such mechanisms might look like, pointing to, among other things, national anti-corruption laws which could threaten the ability of FIFA’s sponsors to continue to do business.

But ultimately, when reform does take place FIFA will find itself much better integrated into global systems of governance, which would be good for sport, Pielke concludes.

The analysis is based on the paper 'How Can FIFA be Held Accountable?', which will be presented at Play the Game 2011 in Cologne.

Read the full article.

Play the Game spoke in the German Parliament

A few days before Play the Game starts in Cologne, Play the Game’s International Director, Jens Sejer Andersen, gave his opinion on how corruption in sport could be fought when he was invited to speak at a hearing in the German Parliament.

In his speech Jens Sejer Andersen said that corruption in sport is connected to the huge amounts of money circulating in international sports organisations that are generally reluctant to accept efficient internal or external controlling mechanisms.

Read more.

Council of Europe to fight match-fixing

The Council of Europe has adopted a recommendation to its member states against match-fixing and other sorts of manipulation of sports results.

The recommendation is welcomed by UEFA President Michel Platini, who met the council after the adoption of the recommendation on 28 September.

Read more.

Grondona faces rival for Argentine presidency

Senior FIFA Vice President Julio Grondona's bid for a ninth term as Argentina Football Association president is being challenged by Fernando Raffaini, head of the football club Velez Sarsfield.

Read more.

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