By Nick Butler

A partnership has been announced between FIFA and the Japan Sports Council ©Japan Sport CouncilA landmark "co-operational bond" has been unveiled between the Japan Sport Council (JSC) and FIFA in order to protect and enhance the integrity of sport.


This comes at a time of growing attention on match-fixing, with football and East Asia both areas where concerns are particularly high, with there being rumours earlier this year that matches in the Japanese J-League had been affected. 

Through the relationship, the JSC and FIFA will take joint initiatives to "protect and develop clean sport with sharing FIFA's knowledge and know-how on fighting against match fixing in football".

A first step is due to be taken on June 7 when the two organisations co-host a symposium in Tokyo to promote the public awareness on threats to the integrity of sport.

This follows the launched of the JSC's Sport Integrity Unit, which acts in the areas of fighting against doping, harassment and match manipulation in sport and promoting good governance among sport organisations in Japan. 

"The Sport Integrity Unit is launched based on the Japanese Government's commitments to protecting the integrity of sport," said JSC President Dr. Ichiro Kono.

"I sincerely appreciate the FIFA to become our strong partner in protection and development of clean athletes and clean sport culture."

Dr Ichiro Kono speaking after the partnership was unveiled ©Japan Sport CouncilDr Ichiro Kono speaking after the partnership was unveiled ©Japan Sport Council



FIFA secretary general Jerôme Valcke claimed the governing body "sincerely appreciates the hosting of this Integrity of Sport Symposium and supports the actions engaged by the JSC to fight against illegal betting and match manipulation".

"One of FIFA's statutory objectives is precisely to protect the integrity of the game," he added.

"Therefore, the fight against the threat of match manipulation is a top priority for FIFA.

"We have and will continue to work to eliminate these threats from our beautiful game, and we feel privileged to work together with the JSC to support the hosting of a symposium promoting the protection of sport."

Although Japan is less affected that parts of South East Asia, there have been multiple match-fixing scandals in the national sport of sumo wrestling and, earlier this year there were claims a J-League encounter between Sanfrecce Hiroshima and Kawasaki Frontale was subject to irregular betting patterns.

But although an internal investigation was launched it found no evidence to confirm these suspicions.

More generally, there has been growing concern over the prevalence of match fixing in recent years and FIFA, along with the International Olympic Committee (IOC) have been among organisations to take action.

Last December IOC President Thomas Bach unveiled details of a $10 million (£6 million/€7 million) fund to protect athletes from "any kind of manipulation or related corruption", while the following month a partnership was announced between the IOC and Interpol to provide a framework for enhanced collaboration.

This followed a similar agreement between FIFA and Interpol reached in May 2011. 

But last month the IOC dismissed claims Singaporean businessman and convicted match-fixer Wilson Raj Perumal arranged matches at both the Atlanta 1996 and Beijing 2008 Games until more evidence is produced.