• Sport result manipulation by organised crime a real and growing threat in sport
• Greater knowledge sharing required between major sport event organisers
London, United Kingdom: 8th November 2012: The International Centre for Sport Security (ICSS), the not-for-profit institution that specialises in sport security and integrity, highlighted the scale and nature of the global threat to the integrity of sport at the 7th International Sports Event Management Conference, taking place in London from 7th-9th November 2012.
Chris Eaton (Director of Sporting Integrity, ICSS) said: “The global threat to the integrity and credibility of sport is real and not exaggerated, with sport result manipulation for the purposes of betting fraud delivering tens of millions of dollars to international organised crime. The surge of organised criminal bodies operating within sport is fast becoming an issue of national security and government policy and as a result, now poses a serious threat to the independence of sports administrators.
He added: “Sport and competition administrations are often multi-layered and can include loosely connected organisational components. As a result, identifying those responsible and accountable is often a challenge.”
Moving forward, he believes a number of urgent measures should be put in place to protect sporting integrity, including the application of structured principles and appropriate due diligence within international sporting bodies to protect individuals and competitions vulnerable to match-fixers and criminal organisations. Creating awareness, prevention and protection are key elements the ICSS will tirelessly continue to work on and offer specific programmes and services.
Also speaking at the conference, Helmut Spahn (Executive Director, ICSS) recommended a number of key security principles that major event organisers should adhere to when planning events, including the need to embed experienced security experts at the early stages of strategic planning, as well as highlighting the need to develop a structured exchange of knowledge between security experts and major event organisers.
Speaking on a panel including David Grevemberg (CEO, Glasgow 2014 Commonwealth Games), Peter Bayer (CEO, Innsbruck 2012 Youth Winter Olympic Games) and Nigel Rushman (Founder, Rushmans), Helmut Spahn (Executive Director, ICSS) said: “Security is one of the key elements in the organisation of any major event. With many new and emerging cities and nations looking to host major international sporting events, it is important to develop a philosophy on the key elements what security means and a tailor-made security concept, considering a holistic, integrated approach.
“Additionally, it is vital that major event organisers focus on faithful cooperation with the main stakeholders but also take into account and accept differences in infrastructure, experience, culture, technological capabilities and financial aspects from between various host countries and organising committees. Finally, quality of Security Management is a key for success and can never be underestimated.
To support major event organisers, the ICSS has developed the ICSS Security, Safety, Integrity ModelTM (The ICSS SSI ModelTM), an integrated and holistic framework for security and integrity planning.”
Note to Editors:
Background Information:
About the International Centre for Sport Security (ICSS)
The ICSS is an international, not-for-profit institution that aims to help event organisers to stage safer major sporting events. The Centre’s mission is to improve security, safety and integrity in sport by addressing real issues and providing world-leading services, skills, networks and knowledge.
The ICSS team brings together some of the world’s leading sport security and integrity experts and has access to a worldwide network of specialist practitioners, offering expertise in every aspect of sport security and integrity.
The ICSS is based in Doha, Qatar, an emerging centre for global sporting events including the 2006 Asian Games, the AFC Asian Cup Qatar 2011™ the 2011 Pan Arab Games and the 2022 FIFA World Cup™.
The ICSS regularly organises events to encourage the creation of sport security and integrity networks and to drive new thinking. Further details will be announced shortly about “SECURING SPORT 2013”, the 3rd International Conference for Sport Security and Integrity, taking place in from 18-19 March 2013.
For more details please visit: www.theicss.org
For further information and if you are interested in a media briefing, please contact:
Heinz Palme, ICSS, Director of Business Development
Heins.Palme@theicss.org
M: +974 33400068
Clair Ashley, VERO Communications
cashley@verocom.co.uk
M: +44 7889 866 697