By Gary Anderson

October 9 - President of the LFP Javier Tebas (left) and Mohammed Hanzab President of the ICSS shake hands on the new partnership at the Leaders in Football Conference in LondonIn light of ongoing match fixing allegations in Spain, the country's top two leagues have announced a new partnership agreement with the International Centre for Sport Security (ICSS) to help tackle the problem and ensure the integrity of the game in the country.

The partnership between the Liga Nacional de Fútbol Profesional (LFP), which represents the 42 clubs who play in the top two divisions in Spain, and the ICSS, will see both organisations cooperate through information sharing.

The ICSS will be able to provide the LFP with insight and expertise from international experience, as well as being able to advise on areas such as enhancing regulations within the LFP's Charter relating to match fixing.

"Sports integrity is an absolute priority for the Liga Nacional de Fútbol Profesional and match fixing has been on my agenda since I became chairman," said Javier Tebas, President of the LFP, speaking at the Leaders in Football industry conference in London.

"My aim is to find adequate solutions to reduce [this phenomenon] and as such, we are dedicated to collaborate and act together with organisations such as the ICSS to enhance the fight against match fixing.

"We look forward to working with the ICSS in terms of sharing information, expertise and support in order to champion and promote integrity in and for our sport."

Tebas, elected President of the LFP in April of this year, described match fixing as a "cancer" in the game and has called for anyone found guilty of being involved in fixing the result of matches, be they players or officials, to receive lifetime bans.

"If we do not eradicate it in time it will become lawless like the Wild West," he said.

LFP President Javier Tabas (centre) and ICSS director of sport integrity Chris Eaton (right) discussing the big issues at the Leaders in Football ConferenceLFP President Javier Tabas (centre) and ICSS director of sport integrity Chris Eaton (right) discussing the big issues at the Leaders in Football Conference



















Earlier this year, Tebas revealed that a total of nine games in Spain were being investigated - three in the top division and six in the second tier - on suspicion of possible match fixing following the detection of irregular betting patterns.

The three games under scrutiny in the top division include Girona versus Xerez and Hercules Alicante against Racing Santander, which are already the subject of court action, and Deportivo la Coruna's 4-0 win over Levante on April 13 this year.

Deportivo were battling against relegation and went 3-0 up inside the first 20 minutes and after the game, it emerged that Levante midfielder Javier Barkero had allegedly accused his teammates of not trying at half-time, however he later apologised for the outburst and said that he had "got it wrong".

Match-fixing is a crime in Spain and can lead to prison sentences for individuals or a club being banned from official competition.

"We share and support the vision of the LFP and, indeed, the personal dedication of President Tebas, to strive for integrity in football and across all sports." said Mohammed Hanzab, President of the ICSS, which is based in Doha and says that its mission is to improve security, safety and integrity in sport by addressing real issues and providing world-leading services, skills, networks and knowledge.

"We fully endorse the initiatives already taken by the LFP and applaud their efforts to protect and preserve the integrity of La Liga."

Action from the Deportivo la Coruna versus Levante clash on April 13 2013 which is under suspicion of match fixingAction from the Deportivo la Coruna versus Levante clash on April 13 2013 which is under suspicion of match fixing






























In February of this year, investigators revealed that they had uncovered a global betting ring run from Singapore which they claim has influenced the outcome of football matches at club and national level over the last few seasons.

Meanwhile, Turkish clubs Fenerbache and Besiktas have been banned from competing in UEFA competitions for two seasons and one season respectively, after the Court of Arbitration for Sport (CAS) last month upheld the European football governing body's decision to suspend them from competition after both were found guilty of match fixing.

The former head of security at football's world governing body FIFA, Chris Eaton will lead the new partnership between the ICSS and the LFP.

"We admire the LFP's commitment to preserving integrity in sport and to ensuring that match fixing is stamped out," said Eaton, now director of sporting integrity at ICSS.

"It is important that football continues to be vigilant and develop strong policies that safeguard sport integrity.

"Our teams of experts in this field look forward to working with the LFP to support its ongoing endeavours to promote integrity."


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