Abbott, who has spent 35 years in investigating organised crime internationally and advising on match-fixing and illegal betting, will take part in the panel session entitled "Should Police Always Lead Sports Investigations?" at the international sport security and integrity conference.

Joining him on the panel at the event, which takes place in Doha this month, will be Emanuel Macedo de Medeiros, chief executive of the European Professional Football Leagues (EPFL) and a member of the FIFA Committee on Club Football, who also holds seats at the UEFA Professional Football Strategy Council and European Union's Expert Group on Good Governance in Sport.

The panel session will explore the role of police, sport federations and independent investigators in the context of sport regulations.

It will also address how communication between law enforcement and sport federations can be optimised to conduct cost effective investigations, while avoiding duplication of effort between investigating parties.

"The ICSS is pleased to be bringing together John Abbott and Emanuel de Medeiros in this critical session examining the role of sport federations and law enforcement agencies in investigations," Mohammed Hanzab, President of the ICSS, said.

"Their unrivalled expertise and experience from the world of law enforcement and sports administration is critical to understanding integrity in sport."


Other high profile speakers and leading figures already confirmed for the conference, which will bring together 400 international experts and stakeholders to discuss sport, safety, security and integrity in the Qatari capital on March 18 and 19 include secretary general of Qatar 2022 Hassan Al Thawadi and special advisor to the secretary general of the UN Wilfried Lemke.

Officials from Brazil 2014, Rio 2016, the International Cricket Council, the Premier League, the United States Anti-Doping Agency (USADA), the World Health Organisation (WHO), the Court of Arbitration for Sport (CAS) and the United Nations (UN) are also confirmed to attend.

Hanzab added: "I look forward to welcoming organisations from around the world, including leading international governing bodies, mega-event experts and world-class international athletes, for what I am sure will be an important platform for sharing information and exploring best practice in the field of sport, safety, security and integrity."

Contact the writer of this story at [email protected]


Related stories
February 2013: Securing Sport 2013 conference to address integrity in sport