Match-fixing threat not diminishing with Europe on the front line, report says
August 12 – The threat of match-fixing still looms large over football. A new report reveals that levels have not dropped in the past two years and that top-flight leagues and international fixtures are under increasing threat.
Starlizard Integrity Services (SIS) - the specialist integrity division of the London-based sports betting consultancy - has identified 84 "suspicious" matches played worldwide in the first half of 2022.
This figure represents 0.45% of a total of 18,845 football matches analyzed by SIS during the period.
Of this figure, 31% of suspicious matches (26 matches) took place in top-level domestic competitions. Of most concern to the confederations is that the threat of match-fixing in international football has not been eradicated, with 12 of the matches (14%) being international matches - categorized by the SIS as "matches which do not fall under a specific country in one of the prescribed regions of the confederation, such as international matches, cross-border club competitions and all club team friendlies.”
Only five of the matches identified were non-competitive friendlies.
Affy Sheikh, Head of Starlizard Integrity Services, said: "These statistics provide insight into the extent of suspicion of match-fixing in football - and underscore the need for greater diligence in tackling corruption. The ever-present threat of match manipulation in the world sport.The rate of alleged match manipulation in football in the first half of this year is consistent with that of the previous two years.
The 84 matches were played in 30 different countries, with Europe presenting the biggest problems.
A total of 41 of the suspicious matches (49%) were played in the UEFA region, and another 21 matches (25%) were played in the Asian confederation region.
SIS categorizes matches as "suspicious" when they are associated with suspicious betting patterns that may indicate match fixing. SIS indicates that any matches thus identified would warrant further investigation.
"It is deeply disturbing to see top domestic competitions feature so prominently among these suspicious matches, perhaps dispelling the common misconception that match manipulation tends to occur only in lower leagues. This latest data reminds us that a committed and concerted effort must be made if we are to have a tangible impact on the problem of match-fixing,” Sheikh said.
Contact the author of this story at moc.l1660367889labto1660367889ofdlr1660367889owedi1660367889sni@n1660367889osloh1660367889cin.l1660367889uap1660367889
August 12 – The threat of match-fixing still looms large over football. A new report reveals that levels have not dropped in the past two years and that top-flight leagues and international fixtures are under increasing threat.
Starlizard Integrity Services (SIS) - the specialist integrity division of the London-based sports betting consultancy - has identified 84 "suspicious" matches played worldwide in the first half of 2022.
This figure represents 0.45% of a total of 18,845 football matches analyzed by SIS during the period.
Of this figure, 31% of suspicious matches (26 matches) took place in top-level domestic competitions. Of most concern to the confederations is that the threat of match-fixing in international football has not been eradicated, with 12 of the matches (14%) being international matches - categorized by the SIS as "matches which do not fall under a specific country in one of the prescribed regions of the confederation, such as international matches, cross-border club competitions and all club team friendlies.”
Only five of the matches identified were non-competitive friendlies.
Affy Sheikh, Head of Starlizard Integrity Services, said: "These statistics provide insight into the extent of suspicion of match-fixing in football - and underscore the need for greater diligence in tackling corruption. The ever-present threat of match manipulation in the world sport.The rate of alleged match manipulation in football in the first half of this year is consistent with that of the previous two years.
The 84 matches were played in 30 different countries, with Europe presenting the biggest problems.
A total of 41 of the suspicious matches (49%) were played in the UEFA region, and another 21 matches (25%) were played in the Asian confederation region.
SIS categorizes matches as "suspicious" when they are associated with suspicious betting patterns that may indicate match fixing. SIS indicates that any matches thus identified would warrant further investigation.
"It is deeply disturbing to see top domestic competitions feature so prominently among these suspicious matches, perhaps dispelling the common misconception that match manipulation tends to occur only in lower leagues. This latest data reminds us that a committed and concerted effort must be made if we are to have a tangible impact on the problem of match-fixing,” Sheikh said.
Contact the author of this story at moc.l1660367889labto1660367889ofdlr1660367889owedi1660367889sni@n1660367889osloh1660367889cin.l1660367889uap1660367889
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