The INTERPOL approach to tackling match fixing in football

Abstract

Increasingly, professional criminals are operating internationally to exploit football and make money through match fixing and irregular betting. Investigations, whether undertaken by law enforcement or the football authorities, are complex, lengthy, costly and uncertain in their outcome. The major criminals pulling the strings of the criminal networks of match fixers are rarely caught. A more effective approach is to enhance the prevention of match fixing. This chapter provides an overview of the implementation of the INTERPOL - FIFA Initiative which seeks to promote training, education and prevention as an effective response to match fixing in football.