Game Over:- UNODC Exposes the Link Between Corruption and Organized Crime in Sport.

The launch of a new UNODC report, titled” Game Over: Exposing the linkages between corruption, serious and organized crime in sport,” marks a significant step in the global fight against corruption in sports.

• https://www.unodc.org/documents/Safeguardingsport/Publications/Game_Over.pdf

The findings of this report are of utmost importance, as they shed light on the pervasive issue of corruption and organised crime in the sports industry.

The report, featuring case studies and practical, evidence-based recommendations, offers a beacon of hope in the global efforts to address the infiltration of organized crime groups in sports. Contributed by 90 experts across 32 countries and 13 representatives from 11 organisations, these recommendations are designed to be implementable and effective.

Key Points of the Report:

• Money Laundering through Athlete Transfers: Criminal organisations use the transfer of athletes, especially young football players, to disguise illicit financial flows. Unlicensed agents and intermediaries often target poor areas and exploit young talent for financial gain. Funds generated from these activities disappear into complex laundering schemes involving multiple companies and countries, making oversight increasingly challenging.
• Illegal Betting and Match Manipulation: The proliferation of online betting has significantly increased the risks of match-fixing, which is often used as a vehicle for money laundering. Advanced technologies like cryptocurrencies and anonymous payment platforms further exacerbate the issue by facilitating anonymity and quick transactions. Lower-tier events and youth competitions are particularly vulnerable due to lower surveillance and easier access to illicit operations.
• International Collaboration: The global nature of these illicit activities, as highlighted in the report, demands urgent and close international cooperation. The report underscores the importance of cooperative networks among sports authorities, justice entities, and international organizations to facilitate real-time data and information exchange. Centralised, secure platforms would allow monitoring of suspicious betting patterns and financial transactions, helping combat money laundering in sports.

Case Studies Included in the Report:

• Match Fixing in Tennis: A criminal organisation in Belgium exploited betting on lower-profile tournaments, generating millions in illegal profits.
• Human Trafficking in Sports Academies: A football academy in Portugal was involved in trafficking minors for exploitation.

• Money Laundering through Horse Racing: The Los Zetas cartel used horse racing and trading in the U.S. to launder profits from drug trafficking.

More cases are listed.

• Horseracing doping scheme in the United States
• Linkages between football and organised crime in Mexico
• Bribery in biathlon
• Competition manipulation and money[1]laundering in Ireland
• Operation ‘Cyclone’ Unveils Drug Trafficking Network Linked to Spanish Football

UNODC will continue to advance research on the connection between corruption in sports and other crimes, drawing on past experiences and international best practices to develop solutions that maintain integrity in the sports arena.

Source

https://www.unodc.org/unodc/en/safeguardingsport/newsandevents/game-over_-unodc-exposes-the-link-between-corruption-and-organized-crime-in-sport.html