By Anna Kyprianou, APC Sports Consulting Ltd
Corruption has existed in sports since its early competitions, from ancient Olympic Games to recent scandals like Calciopoli. Athletes accepting bribes to lose competitions in ancient times evolved into modern scandals like the Russian doping scandal. Corruption in sports is becoming a global public policy issue, with increasing attention from officials and policymakers. Paoli and Donati (2013) identify four trends contributing to corruption: de-amateurization, medicalization, politicization, and commercialization. This article explores the causes of corruption and why athletes, coaches, and officials fall into it.
Why Sports is Prone to Corruption
Sports is a multi-billion dollar business, making it highly lucrative and prone to corruption in various forms. Corruption in sports is multifaceted, manifesting in different ways like doping and match-fixing. Doping stems from the de-amateurization and medicalization of sports, where athletes seek ways to enhance performance. Athletes at top levels strive for success, glory, and money, often resorting to doping to gain an edge. The Olympics see more doping due to cooperation between government officials and medical staff in each country. Politics complicate doping, as governments hide corruption scandals to protect their political credibility.
Match-fixing and illegal betting involve multiple parties, complicating the investigation and prevention process. In my recent research on match-fixing, I interviewed footballers from European clubs to uncover reasons behind the practice. The primary reason, especially in Eastern Europe, is economic survival for players. Many clubs, particularly second-tier ones, struggle to pay salaries after the first half of the season. This occurs due to poor financial planning and unrealistic budgets, leaving clubs vulnerable to financial instability. This economic instability pushes clubs to seek quick money, often leading to match-fixing.
FIFA and UEFA’s Efforts to Prevent Match-Fixing
To control corruption in sports, specific legislative and policy responses are essential. A recent European report revealed that five EU nations passed anti-corruption laws addressing match-fixing. Other countries rely on existing fraud or anti-corruption laws, with some using conspiracy offenses. FIFA and UEFA have also taken steps to prevent corruption, including new legislation and collaboration with government agencies. For instance, FIFA signed an agreement with INTERPOL to educate key football actors on identifying and reporting corruption. This initiative aims to help law enforcement better investigate corruption and match-fixing cases.
Corruption in sports has existed throughout history, and completely eliminating match-fixing, illegal betting, or doping seems impossible. However, national and international efforts can reduce the exposure of athletes and sports officials to corruption. Steps include educating athletes and officials, enforcing stricter sanctions, and fostering stronger cooperation among stakeholders. Most importantly, tackling corruption in sports requires coordinated, decisive action from all relevant parties.