IOC and Sportradar sign agreement to tackle match fixing in sport

IOC chief of ethics and compliance, Pâquerette Girard-Zappelli (right) with Sportradar security services managing director, Andreas Krannich ©IOC/Sportradar

A Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) has been signed between the International Olympic Committee (IOC) and betting data company Sportradar to allow the sharing of information regarding sports betting and the integrity of sports competitions.

All sports competitions covered by the IOC’s Integrity Betting Intelligence System (IBIS) will be monitored, including the Olympic Games and competitions organised by International Federations (IFs).

Under the MoU, opportunities for "joint activities and mutual contributions that will improve their respective know-hows as well as spread their expertise further afield" will also be explored.

Sportradar - billed as the world’s leading supplier of sports and betting-related live data, odds solutions and fraud detection services - provided a panel speaker at the IF Forum on November 12.

“In 2013, we launched our Intelligence Betting Integrity System (IBIS) to collate alerts and information on manipulation through betting on sport and since then we have looked to identify organisations that can give us insight into betting and fixing activities globally," said the IOC's Ethics and compliance chief Pâquerette Girard-Zappelli, who signed the deal with Sportradar managing director of security services, Andreas Krannich.

"Having Sportradar as a partner within IBIS is a big step for the safeguarding of both the Olympic Games and the key competitions of IFs.”

IOC chief of ethics and compliance, Pâquerette Girard-Zappelli (centre) oversaw the signing of the agreement ©IOC/Greg Martin — IOC chief of ethics and compliance, Pâquerette Girard-Zappelli (centre), oversaw the signing of the agreement ©IOC/Greg Martin

Tackling match fixing within sport has been highlighted as a key priority by successive IOC Presidents Jacques Rogge and Thomas Bach, and was included within Bach's Agenda 2020 reform process.

International Centre of Sport Security director of integrity Chris Eaton claimed to insidethegames how it is the biggest challenge in sport today.

But this comes during a tumultuous period following the revelation of corruption allegations across football's world governing body FIFA, and the International Association of Athletics Federations (IAAF).

The IOC have also been accused of not having done enough to combat issues challenging the integrity of sport today, enhancing the importance of deals like this.

“Olympic Agenda 2020 marks a new chapter for the IOC," Krannich added.

"It marks a renewed commitment and vigour across the IOC’s responsibilities and commitments: chief amongst those - integrity.

"After 10 years working to raise awareness and insight into the world of match manipulation, it is a great time to provide our expertise to the IOC.

"The Olympic Games are the symbol of global sport and capture the power of sport to positively impact on our world.

"We are honoured that our Fraud Detection System will be able to strengthen the global audience’s faith in the amazing competitions they will be watching from Rio onwards”.