Key points:
- The anti-corruption training program has concluded at Cavalry FC in Alberta
- 200 players from across the Canadian Premier League have received training to help protect the league from match-fixing
- This initiative is the first to be financed by the IBIA's CA$300,000 meber investment fund
The International Betting Integrity Association (IBIA) has announced the conclusion of its anti-match-fixing education program – delivered in partnership with the Professional Footballers’ Association Canada (PFA Canada).
The program has been delivered to players in the Canadian Premier League as the first initiative developed and financed by the IBIA’s CA$300,000 (US$217,600) three-year fund. The fund contains investments from IBIA members such as bet365, Betway and FanDuel and seeks to deliver face-to-face integrity training to help protect Canadian sports from corruption.
All eight of the Canadian Premier League’s soccer teams from Ontario, Nova Scotia, Manitoba, British Columbia and Alberta have now completed the training initiative. In total, around 200 players received training around the rules, consequences, monitoring technology and possible threats of match fixing. Further, the training also explored the scale and accuracy of modern anti-corruption monitoring in sport, as well as how to report a suspected breach of the rules.
In July, the IBIA also called for enhanced focus on combating match-fixing in the LatAm region. Now, the organization will be hoping that the first initiative from its three-year-fund helps to prevent corruption within the Canadian Premier League moving forward.
IBIA CEO Khalid Ali said, "We take our responsibility to protect regulated sports betting markets, sports and athletes seriously. Decades of experience has shown that a combination of efficient regulation, education and collaboration are essential to safeguarding the sports integrity ecosystem. We are delighted that the PFA Canada education program has been so successful and look forward to year two of the project.”
PFA Canada Executive Director Dan Kruk also commented, “Through our work with IBIA, nearly 200 Canadian Premier League players attended PFA Canada’s Protecting the Integrity of the Game workshop this season.
"As a result, stakeholders can be confident our members know their obligations regarding gambling and match-fixing in their sport, how to recognize an approach to fix a match, and crucially, their duty to report any person attempting to manipulate a match.”
