Leading Experts to Examine Corruption in sport at World Rugby ConfEx 2016

A panel of experts will debate how to safeguard good governance in sport in a plenary session entitled "Protecting sport from corruption" at the World Rugby Conference and Exhibition 2016 (ConfEx).

Taking place at the Hilton London Metropole on 14-15 November, ConfEx 2016 will address the issues currently facing sport globally and look at ways sports governing bodies and regulatory authorities can retain and restore faith in the honesty of sport.

Leading the discussion will be:

Karl Bennison – Chief of Enforcement, Nevada Gaming Control Board

Ronnie Flanagan – Chairman, International Cricket Council Anti-Corruption Unit

Simon Greenberg – Global Head of Rights, Head of Dow Jones Sport, and Global Head of Rights, News Corp

Heather Rabbatts (moderator) – Independent Non-Executive Director, Football Association

Matt Slater – Chief Sports Reporter, Press Association

Against a backdrop of integrity challenges across sport, the speakers will debate and discuss the implications of corruption and poor governance in sport have for clean athletes, fans, sponsors and other major stakeholders around the world.

Building upon the in-depth analysis of the issues at the World Rugby Sports Integrity Forum on 14 November, the session will also explore how a strong set of values can assist a governing body to uphold the principles of fair play and integrity and ultimately help protect the credibility of sport.

World Rugby Chief Executive Brett Gosper said: "Sadly, corruption and governance issues in sport continue to make headlines around the world. We have seen how breaches of anti-corruption rules in other sports can tarnish the reputation of the sector as a whole and we must remain vigilant to ensure rugby continues to do everything it can to maintain best practice governance, financial management and integrity processes at all levels of the game.

"We are delighted to have a high-calibre panel of international governance and anti-corruption experts coming together at ConfEx 2016 to share insight on how best to safeguard sport from unethical practices. I look forward to listening to the debate in this fascinating plenary session alongside the members of the global rugby and wider sporting communities participating in the event."

Under the theme "The future of rugby", ConfEx will also examine other key opportunities and challenges the sport is facing, including the future of coaching, the use of data in performance management, fan engagement and how rugby can make the most of its highly successful return to the Olympic programme at Rio 2016.

The World Rugby Awards 2016 will be held on the eve of the event for the first time. Taking place at the Hilton London Metropole on 13 November, the awards will celebrate the accomplishments of players, coaches and teams from across the globe during 2016.

For more information, please contact:

Amelia Fisher-Starzynski – VERO Communications

Afisher-starzynski@verocom.co.uk

+44 (0)207 812 6589

or

Tim Kilpatrick

confexsalestk@worldrugby.org

+44 (0)207 036 8082

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