FIFA, UNODC tango in renewed fight against Corruption

As part of the activities marking international Anti-Corruption Day (Dec.9) FIFA and the United Nations Office on Drugs and Crime (UNODC), Wednesday teamed up in a call for all to speak up against Match fixing and other vices.

The campaign involves FIFA legends uniting to encourage players, coaches and officials to recognise, resists and report match-fixing as well as raise awareness about FIFA’s confidential reporting platforms.

Coinciding with International Anti-Corruption Day  which this year aims to highlight the need to “Recover with Integrity”, the joint campaign features messages from a range of FIFA Legends, including Sun Wen, Iván Córdoba, Luke Wilkshire, Wael Gomaa, Stipe Pletikosa, Clémentine Touré and Bibiana Steinhaus.

Speaking of the new campaign, Gianni Infantino, FIFA President, said:

“This new joint campaign between FIFA and UNODC, just a few weeks after the signing of our Memorandum of Understanding, is a strong message about our absolute commitment and determination to eliminating match-fixing and corruption in football.”

“In these unprecedented times marked by the COVID-19 pandemic, it is essential that we work together with partners such as the UNODC to ensure that players, coaches and officials have the confidence to speak out against match-fixing, as well as any other integrity issues.“

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In his own submission, UNODC Executive Director Ghada Waly said:

“Sports and sporting events are vital to our well-being, and they have a crucial role to play in helping our societies and economies recover from the pandemic. That is why we must work together to ensure that sport recovers with integrity.”