CSCF Foundation for Sport Integrity and ESTCIS Estonian Centre of Integrity in Sports Co-host Successful Awareness Session in Tallinn on Sport Integrity

The Integrisport 3.0 Project Continues to Make Strides in Educating Law Enforcement and Judiciary on Combating Sport Manipulation


Tallinn, Estonia, 8th of February – The latest awareness-raising session under the Integrisport 3.0 project was successfully held in Tallinn, Estonia, on the 7th and 8th of February. This significant event was co-hosted by CSCF Foundation for Sport Integrity, the coordinator, and content expert of the Integrisport 3.0 project, and the ESTCIS Estonian Centre of Integrity in Sports, underscoring the project's ongoing commitment to combating sports manipulation and crime in sports and esports.

"Our aim with the awareness-raising session in Estonia was to convey a clear message to all stakeholders: the threat of manipulation in both traditional sports and esports is a pressing challenge that requires deeper understanding and collective action. Additionally, our efforts focused on bridging the gap between law enforcement and the esports sector, highlighting specific vulnerabilities, and emphasizing the critical support needed to uphold the integrity of sports,” said Norbert Rubicsek, director at CSCF Foundation for Sport Integrity. "The active participation from various organizations on integrity issues was heartening. We are confident that this session has substantially strengthened the stakeholders' approach to combating sports crime, especially within the rapidly evolving esports landscape."


Integrisport 3.0 is a project established to provide theoretical and practical support for law enforcement and judiciaries in the six program countries: Austria, Bulgaria, Estonia, Greece, Romania, and Spain, co-financed by the European Union. The inaugural awareness-raising practical session marked the commencement of this project and the 17th edition of the successful Integrisport program, reaching nearly two-thirds of EU countries' law enforcement and judiciaries in the last 4,5 years.

This time, over 45 participants from 25 organizations in Estonia participated in the conference and engaged in presentations, interventions, and panel discussions. The participants were introduced to different aspects of sport manipulation and crime in sports from various angles, ranging from policy-making to law enforcement issues. Discussions encompassed both traditional sports and esports, reflecting the evolving nature of integrity challenges in both domains. Representatives from national law enforcement, ministries, betting organizations, and sports organizations from football, handball, tennis, table tennis, wrestling, the National Olympic Committee attended. Partners of Integrisport 3.0, like the Spanish National Police, ULIS, the supporting partner FiFpro and the International Olympic Committee highlighted the session's diverse and inclusive approach.

"It is very important for ESTCIS, that the awareness-raising session gave us the chance to include esport community and its leaders in our discussions and in the future we can find the ways together as partners to make our youth understand better about the values of fair sport and keep them away from the evil side of sport," added Remo Perli, chief investigative officer from ESTCIS. "Also it is very important to move forward with the amendment of Estonian Penal code. It was pointed out by many experts in the session, that the special provision for sports manipulation is necessary."


CSCF Foundation for Sport Integrity, the driving force behind this unique initiative, has consistently worked hard to protect the cause of sports integrity. Boasting strengths in creating opportunities in sports, CSCF excels in facilitating effective and innovative programs and partnerships. CSCF partners with organizations worldwide, providing complex and high-quality education and training to sports organizations, law enforcement, judiciaries, ministries, and other transnational bodies. Our focus spans multiple integrity issues, notably sport manipulation and safeguarding, along with effective investigations, whistleblower systems, and risk management.Our commitment to this noble cause acknowledges the importance of collective action in effectively safeguarding sports integrity globally. We are dedicated to making a significant impact in the world of sports.

As the primary stakeholder for sports integrity in Estonia, the Estonian Centre of Integrity in Sports (ESTCIS) holds a crucial position in safeguarding the integrity of sports within the country. Serving as the country partner for IntegriSport 3.0 in Estonia, ESTCIS plays a central role in promoting ethical practices and combating sports-related corruption and manipulation. Leveraging its expertise and resources, ESTCIS works tirelessly to implement rigorous doping control measures, provide anti-doping education, and address various integrity issues such as match-fixing prevention, abuse prevention, and spectator safety. Through its proactive efforts, ESTCIS contributes significantly to maintaining the integrity and fairness of sports in Estonia and beyond.

The Integrisport 3.0 project continues to lead in raising awareness and fostering collaboration against sports manipulation and crime in sports and esports. Its comprehensive educational approach has received widespread acclaim.

The next awareness-raising session will be organized in Bulgaria on 6-7 March. For more information about the Integrisport 3.0 project and future sessions, please visit foundation.cscfsport.com/integrisport-3-0/

For media inquiries, please contact: admin@cscfsport.com

Disclaimer: The project is funded by the European Union. Views and opinions expressed are however those of the author(s) only and do not necessarily reflect those of the European Union or EACEA. Neither the European Union nor the granting authority can be held responsible for them.

IACA and CSCF Sport Integrity Group Announce New Partnership on Promoting Integrity in Sport


On 2 Nov 2023, the International Anti-Corruption Academy (IACA) and Counter Sport Corruption Foundation (CSCF) Sport Integrity Group have signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) establishing the framework for both institutions to cooperate promoting integrity and anti-corruption compliance in sport.

Speaking on the new partnership, Mr. Jaroslaw Pietrusiewicz, Officer-in-Charge of the International Anti-Corruption Academy (IACA) stated:

“IACA is willing to join forces with the international sport community and share its knowledge and expertise in anti-corruption and compliance to enhance the effectiveness and efficiency of integrity and compliance programmes in countries and sports organizations. We want to involve various stakeholders to deliver anti-corruption education and equip our partners with the needed tools to eliminate corruption in sport. We are looking forward to developing such activities with CSCF”.

 

Mr. Norbert Rubicsek, Director at CSCF – Sport Integrity Group gave remarks during the announcement of this new partnership and stated:

“As the growing number of alarming cases reveals, the realm of sports is increasingly being compromised by wrongdoers. From the highest governing bodies to local clubs, there's an urgent need to fortify against such infiltration. We at CSCF Sport Integrity Group are dedicated to empowering these entities, not just in safeguarding themselves, but in actively standing up against these malicious actors.

Our partnership with IACA brings forth a comprehensive and multidisciplinary approach, offering a robust set of tools and educational resources designed to strengthen regulations and policies. This collaboration is a significant step towards eradicating bad practices and restoring integrity within the sports domain.”

The promotion of integrity, anti-corruption and compliance in sport has become one of the priorities in the international anti-corruption agenda. In the UNGASS Political Declaration “Our common commitment to effectively addressing challenges and implementing measures to prevent and combat corruption and strengthen international cooperation”, states declared safeguarding sport from corruption as one of their goals. Also, the G20 put this theme on its agenda.

In 2023, IACA started a new research project on integrity and anti-corruption compliance in sport. The aims of this research project are to identify main corruption risks and typologies of corrupt misconduct in various sports and develop an overview of best practices in promoting integrity, implementing anticorruption compliance management systems and whistleblower hotlines in international and national sports organizations, professional leagues, and clubs.

For the past seven years, CSCF has been at the forefront of protecting sports from potential infiltration. Through its extensive programmes, CSCF has provided comprehensive support in tackling sport manipulation, corruption in sports, safeguarding, doping, and whistleblowing not only to governmental organizations such as law enforcement agencies, judiciaries, and ministries but also to international and national sports organizations. Notably, CSCF 's programmes have been implemented and utilized in over 200 countries worldwide through transnational projects and activities, showcasing their global impact and effectiveness.

ABOUT IACA

The International Anti-Corruption Academy (IACA) is an international organization and post-secondary educational institution based in Laxenburg, Austria. It has been recognized by the United Nations General Assembly (resolutions A/RES/69/199 and A/RES/71/208, adopted on 18 December 2014 and 19 December 2016, respectively) as a center of excellence in anti-corruption education, training, and research. We advance the goals of the United Nations Convention against Corruption, promote the rule of law, and provide support and technical assistance for states, organizations, corporations, and other stakeholders. Corruption knows no borders, affects all countries and sectors of society, and cannot be remedied with traditional educational methods alone.

This is why our vision is to tackle the scourge of corruption with a new and holistic approach, including academic programmes, capacity building initiatives, technical assistance, research, and international cooperation and networking.

To contact IACA, please email: james.bigila@iaca.int

For more information about IACA, visit – www.iaca.int

 

ABOUT CSCF Sport Integrity Group

The CSCF Sport Integrity Group is an organization that, with a global operational footprint, serves as a dedicated guardian of integrity in sports. CSCF's expertise in sport manipulation, safeguarding, and whistleblowing position the organization at the forefront of preserving sports integrity. Committed to the profound economic, moral, and social dimensions unique to sports, CSCF actively engage with diverse organizations, fostering a world where sports thrive with integrity through fresh initiatives, capacity-building, prevention, reactive measures, and international cooperation.

CSCF's comprehensive services encompass advice, policy development, education, whistleblowing support, risk management, and investigation. Addressing issues proactively, strive to shape the landscape of sports integrity, fortifying the foundation of integrity, fairness, and enduring values upon which the world of sports stands.

To contact CSCF, please email: admin@cscfsport.com

For more information about CSCF, visit – cscfsport.com

 

For media inquiries, please contact: admin@cscfsport.com

Integrisport 3.0 – Awareness raising practical session (ARPS) conducted in Vienna, Austria for law enforcement and judiciary on tackling sport manipulation


Vienna, Austria – The 3rd ARPS under the IntegriSport 3.0 umbrella was co-organized by CSCF in collaboration with our Austrian partner Play Fair Code, Austria – the National Association for ‘Integrity in Sport’. The event was held in close cooperation with the Austria Ministry of the Interior and the Criminal Intelligence Service Austria at the beautiful venue House of Sports (Haus des Sports) in Vienna, on 4th and 5th December, 2023.

Integrisport 3.0 is a project established to provide theoretical and practical support for law enforcement and judiciaries in the six program countries: Austria, Bulgaria, Estonia, Greece, Romania, and Spain, co-financed by the European Union. The ARPS in Vienna was the third event under the present project and the 16th edition under the successful Integrisport program, which has reached nearly two-thirds of EU countries' law enforcement and judiciaries in the last 4.5 years. CSCF is dedicated to fortifying the integrity of sports and as coordinator and content provider for this ARPS, our commitment was further strengthened to develop the capacities of the stakeholders across Europe.


The training event was first of its kind in case of Austria where such a multi-stakeholder cooperation was created and a training event on topics related to sports manipulation and related crimes in sports was imparted to more than 45 investigators from across Austria, from multiple departments of the Criminal Intelligence Service Austria, prosecutors, and judicial officers.

The main goal of the event was to introduce the participants to the key topics related to possible crime in sports, for helping them get aware of the issues, to broaden their knowledge and allow them make connections to their own work with the possible sports manipulation issues, thereby positively contributing towards the preservation of sports integrity and to strengthen their fight against manipulation in sport.

The symposium, i.e., the Awareness Raising Practical Session (ARPS) was part of the IntegriSport 3.0 project and organized by CSCF Foundation for Sports Integrity, the coordinator and content experts of the project, along with Play Fair Code, Austria, the country partners of the project. The event saw more than 30 speakers, presenters and panelists, from Austria and also international experts, from diverse sectors to provide the best possible and most updated knowledge, which would help these police officers and investigators to understand better the multifaceted challenge of sport manipulation.

Among the notable keynote speakers of the event were Friedrich Stickler, President of Play Fair Code and Severin Moritzer, CEO of Play Fair Code, Norbert Rubicsek, Director CSCF Foundation for Sport Integrity, Ms. Martina Spreitzer-Kropiunik, Vice President Criminal Court Vienna, Johann Fuchs, Chief Public Prosecutor, Vienna, Franz Schwarzenbacher, Head of Unit Betting Fraud, Doping and Pharmaceutical Crime, Federal Criminal Police, Austria, Andreas Baumgartner, Integrity Officer, Austrian Football Federation (ÖFB), Austrian ambassador for IntegriSport 3.0 – Manuel Ortlechner, former player of the Austrian National football team and currently Sporting Director FK Austria Wien and several prominent other speakers from Austrian and international organizations like FIFPRO, ULIS, Malta Police Force, National Police of Spain, Basketball Austria, the European Handball Federation, the Austrian eSport Federation, NADA Austria, Austrian betting operators and several others.


It was interesting to hear Mr. Franz Schwarzenbacher, who emphasized the event's significance, stating, "It was a perfect opportunity for us to spread knowledge, expertise and know-how with our colleagues from all around Austria. Sharing the various investigation approaches is key for both, raising awareness and a robust understanding of the issue.”

Adding to the above, Ms. Barbara Pusca, Head of Sub-Department Training, Knowledge and Information Management, Criminal Intelligence Service Austria said, “Our cooperation with the Play Fair Code is a new approach for us and clearly adds value to our training and education efforts for our colleagues. We saw a series of very interesting presentations and panels with a national and international perspective towards the huge problem of match fixing in the world of sport.”

CSCF Foundation for Sport Integrity, the driving strength behind this unique initiative, has consistently championed the cause of sports integrity. CSCF boasts its strength in facilitating the creation of opportunities in sports, for effective and innovative programs and partnerships. CSCF partners with organizations around the world to provide complex and high quality education and training to sport organizations, and law enforcement, judiciaries, ministries, and other such transnational organizations on multiple integrity issues, as well as on effective investigations, whistle blowing systems etc. Our commitment to this noble effort acknowledges the importance of collective action to effectively combat manipulation within the world of sports around the world.


Reinforcing CSCF’s principals, Norbert Rubicsek, CSCF Foundation for Sport Integrity ‘s Director, shared his insights, stating, “To combat sports manipulation and crime in sports, it requires complex actions and cooperation from all the involved stakeholders. Sports need support to counteract fixers infiltrating it, and this support should come from law enforcement, judiciaries, as well as other stakeholders in the domain. This is one of the main objectives of the IntegriSport 3.0. project: understanding and supporting each other.”

Play Fair Code CEO, Severin Moritzer noted that: “With a twelve years national and international track record and expertise in the fight against match fixing and for integrity in sport, IntegriSport 3.0 and the training for and with a core group of Police investigators simply is a perfect fit.”

The two-day symposium explored the diverse challenges associated with sports manipulation and crimes within the sports realm, not just of Austria but across Europe and beyond. Additionally, a key aim was to promote collaboration at both national and international levels, acknowledging the necessity for a unified approach to address this global issue. The ARPS marks a significant step forward in the continuous effort to protect the integrity of sports in Austria. As experts and influencers come together, there is a renewed optimism for a future where sports continue to embody fair play and honest competition, inspiring generations to come.

For media inquiries, please contact: admin@cscfsport.com

Disclaimer: The project is funded by the European Union. Views and opinions expressed are however those of the author(s) only and do not necessarily reflect those of the European Union or EACEA. Neither the European Union nor the granting authority can be held responsible for them.

Integrisport 3.0 – Sesión práctica de sensibilización para autoridades policiales y judiciales sobre la lucha contra la manipulación deportiva en España

Madrid, España – Más de 100 funcionarios de varios departamentos de la Policía Nacional se reunieron en Madrid para asistir a un simposio de formación los días 24 y 25 de octubre de 2023 en el Complejo de la Policía Nacional de Madrid, en el que aprendieron temas clave que les ayudarán a contribuir a la preservación del deporte, integridad y fortalecer su lucha contra la manipulación en el deporte. El simposio, es decir, la Sesión Práctica de Sensibilización (ARPS), fue parte del proyecto IntegriSport 3.0 y fue organizado por la Fundación CSCF para la Integridad Deportiva, coordinadora y experta en contenidos del proyecto, junto con la Policía de España, los países socios del proyecto, en estrecha cooperación con el Ministerio del Interior de España. Esta reunión excepcional reunió a un impresionante elenco de más de 32 oradores, uniendo a expertos, visionarios y partes interesadas clave de diversos sectores para abordar el desafío multifacético de la manipulación deportiva.

Integrisport 3.0 es un proyecto creado para brindar apoyo teórico y práctico a las autoridades policiales y judiciales en los seis países del programa: Austria, Bulgaria, Estonia, Grecia, Rumania y España, cofinanciado por la Unión Europea. La sesión práctica inaugural de sensibilización marcó el inicio de este proyecto y de la 15ª edición del exitoso programa Integrisport , que ha llegado a casi dos tercios de los órganos policiales y judiciales de los países de la UE en los últimos 4,5 años.

Además de los ponentes expertos del CSCF, destacaron el comisario jefe José Ángel González Morán, Jefe de la Unidad Central de delincuencia especializada y violenta, el comisario Félix López Rivera, jefe de la Brigada Central de Delitos contra las Personas y el inspector jefe David Calvete Sarasa, jefe del Servicio Central de Control de Juegos y Apuestas de la Policía Nacional y otros funcionarios de diversas organizaciones de alto nivel, entre ellas la Policía Nacional, LALIGA, UEFA, Asociación de Futbolistas Españoles (AFE), Real Federación Española de Fútbol, Federación Española de Rugby, Federación española de Tenis, miembros de la Fiscalía General del Estado, de la Fiscalía Anticorrupción, Centro Finlandés para la Integridad en el Deporte (FINCIS), Asociación Eslovaca de Fútbol, Policía de Malta y muchos más. El evento contó con la participación de una serie de distinguidos representantes de organismos encargados de hacer cumplir la ley, eminentes funcionarios judiciales, figuras reconocidas del mundo del deporte, voces influyentes de los sindicatos de jugadores, líderes del sector de las apuestas y pioneros de los deportes electrónicos.

El evento fue un esfuerzo de colaboración, organizado conjuntamente por el Servicio de Control del juego de la Policía nacional, del que se encuentra adscrito el Centro Nacional de Policía para la Integridad en los Deportes y las Apuestas (CENPIDA) y coorganizado por la Fundación CSCF para la Integridad Deportiva, una organización dedicada a fortalecer la integridad de los deportes como coordinador y proveedor de contenido del evento. Este espíritu de colaboración se extendió aún más con el apoyo sustancial y la presencia activa de organizaciones estimadas como nuestros socios de IntegriSport 3.0 Play Fair Code, Austria (PFC), United Lotteries for Integrity in Sport (ULIS), también nuestro socio de apoyo FIFPRO, junto con Interpol y Europol, que participaron activamente en el evento.

En esencia, este simposio tenía como objetivo proporcionar una combinación de conocimientos teóricos y orientación práctica a los organismos encargados de hacer cumplir la ley, los órganos judiciales y las partes interesadas de la industria. Juntos, profundizaron en los innumerables desafíos que rodean la manipulación deportiva y los crímenes dentro del mundo del deporte. Otro objetivo primordial fue fomentar la cooperación nacional e internacional, reconociendo que este problema global exige un frente unido. Los participantes, la mayoría de los cuales conocieron estos temas clave por primera vez, brindaron comentarios muy positivos y apreciaron mucho el nivel de contenido, diseño y formato del evento.


La Fundación CSCF para la Integridad Deportiva, la fuerza impulsora detrás de esta iniciativa, ha defendido durante mucho tiempo la causa de la integridad deportiva. Su compromiso con este noble esfuerzo reconoce la necesidad de una acción colectiva para combatir eficazmente la manipulación dentro de la industria del deporte.

El director de la Fundación CSCF para la Integridad Deportiva, Norbert Rubicsek, compartió sus ideas y afirmó: " Nuestra dedicación por defender la pureza de los deportes nos ha impulsado a organizar este evento innovador. Creemos firmemente que fomentando la cooperación entre todas las partes interesadas, podemos forjar un marco resiliente para combatir la manipulación deportiva y salvaguardar los valores que hacen que el deporte sea tan especial. "

Durante la clausura del evento de dos días, el inspector jefe David Calvete señaló: “Quiero expresar mi más sincero agradecimiento por la oportunidad que se ha brindado a la Policía Nacional de colaborar en el proyecto IntegriSport 3.0, comprometido con la lucha contra el amaño de partidos en todo el mundo. Es un privilegio ser parte de él y contribuir a su éxito. Las claves del éxito son la proactividad, la búsqueda de soluciones creativas a los retos que se presentan y la colaboración efectiva entre todos los participantes. Estoy seguro que este proyecto seguirá creciendo y logrando grandes cosas y nosotros, en la Policía Nacional, queremos ser parte de ese progreso”. Añadió además diciendo: "También me gustaría destacar la dedicación y profesionalismo de todos los miembros del equipo de CSCF. Su compromiso y arduo trabajo han sido inspiradores y han asegurado que los días se hayan celebrado con excelencia".

El simposio de dos días en Madrid marca un paso transformador en la búsqueda continua para salvaguardar la integridad del deporte en España. Con la unión de expertos y partes interesadas para fortalecer la lucha contra la manipulación deportiva, existe una esperanza renovada de un futuro en el que los deportes sigan siendo un modelo de juego limpio y competencia honesta, que inspire a las generaciones venideras.

Para consultas de los medios, comuníquese con: admin@cscfsport.com

Integrisport 3.0 – Awareness raising practical session for law enforcement and judiciary on tackling sport manipulation in Spain

Madrid, Spain – More than 100 officials from various departments of Policia Nacional came together in Madrid to attend a training symposium on 24th and 25th October, 2023, at the National Police Complex Madrid, learning key topics for helping them contribute towards the preservation of sports integrity and to strengthen their fight against manipulation in sport. The symposium, i.e., the Awareness Raising Practical Session (ARPS) was part of the IntegriSport 3.0 project and organized by CSCF Foundation for Sports Integrity, the coordinator and content experts of the project, along with Policia España, the country partners of the project, in close cooperation with Ministry of Interior, Spain. This exceptional gathering brought together an impressive lineup of more than 32 speakers, uniting experts, visionaries, and key stakeholders from diverse sectors to tackle the multifaceted challenge of sport manipulation.

Integrisport 3.0 is a project established to provide theoretical and practical support for law enforcement and judiciaries in the six program countries: Austria, Bulgaria, Estonia, Greece, Romania, and Spain, co-financed by the European Union. The inaugural awareness-raising practical session marked the commencement of this project and the 15th edition of the successful Integrisport program, reaching nearly two-thirds of EU countries' law enforcement and judiciaries in the last 4.5 years.

In addition to the expert speakers from CSCF, the notable speakers were Chief Commissioner José Ángel González Morán, Head of the Specialized and Violent Crime Unit, Commissioner Félix López River, Head of the Central Crimes against Persons Brigade and Chief Inspector David Calvete Sarasa, Head of the Central Gaming and Betting Control Service of the National Police and various other officials from a number of high level organizations including the National Police, LALIGA, UEFA, Association of Spanish Soccer Players (AFE), Royal Spanish Football Federation, Spanish Rugby Federation, Spanish Tennis Federation, members of the State Attorney General's Office and of the Anti-Corruption Prosecutor’s Office, Finnish Center for Integrity in Sport (FINCIS), Slovak Football Association, Malta Police Force and many more. The event saw participation from a number of distinguished representatives from law enforcement agencies, eminent judiciary officials, renowned figures from the world of sports, influential voices from players' unions, leaders from the betting sector, and pioneers in esports.

The event was a collaborative effort, jointly hosted by the Gambling Control Service of the National Police, which is part of the National Center of Police for Integrity in Sports and Betting (CENPIDA) and co-hosted by CSCF Foundation for Sport Integrity, an organization dedicated to fortifying the integrity of sports as the event's coordinator and content provider. This collaborative spirit extended further with substantial support and active presence from esteemed organizations like our IntegriSport 3.0 partners Play Fair Code, Austria (PFC), United Lotteries for Integrity in Sport (ULIS), also our supporting partner FIFPRO, along with Interpol and Europol, actively participating in the proceedings.

At its core, this symposium aimed to provide a blend of theoretical insights and practical guidance to law enforcement agencies, judiciary bodies, and industry stakeholders. Together, they delved into the myriad challenges surrounding sport manipulation and crimes within the world of sports. Another primary objective was to foster national and international cooperation, recognizing that this global issue demands a united front. The participants, most of whom were introduced to these key topics for the first time, provided a very positive feedback, appreciating highly for the level of content, design and format of the event.


CSCF Foundation for Sport Integrity, the driving force behind this initiative, has long championed the cause of sports integrity. Their commitment to this noble endeavor recognizes the need for collective action to effectively combat manipulation within the sports industry.

CSCF Foundation for Sport Integrity 's Director, Norbert Rubicsek, shared his insights, stating, "Our dedication to upholding the purity of sports has propelled us to organize this groundbreaking event. We firmly believe that by fostering cooperation among all stakeholders, we can forge a resilient framework to combat sport manipulation and safeguard the values that make sports so special."

During the closing of the 2 day event, Chief Inspector David Calvete noted: “I want to express my most sincere gratitude for the opportunity that has been given to the National Police to collaborate in IntegriSport 3.0 project, committed to fight match fixing across the world. It is a privilege to be part of it and contribute to its success. The keys to success are proactivity, the search for creative solutions to the challenges that arise, and effective collaboration between all participants. I am sure that this project will continue to grow and achieve great things, and we, at National Police, want to be part of that progress.” He further added by saying "I would also like to highlight the dedication and professionalism of all team members of CSCF. Their commitment and hard work have been inspiring and have ensured that the days have been celebrated with excellence."

The 2 day symposium in Madrid marks a transformative stride in the ongoing quest to safeguard the integrity of sports in Spain. With experts and stakeholder uniting together to strengthen the fight against sports manipulation, there is renewed hope for a future where sports remain a beacon of fair play and honest competition, inspiring generations to come.

For media inquiries, please contact: admin@cscfsport.com

Integrisport 3.0 – Awereness raising practical session for law enforcement and judiciary on tackling sport manipulation Greece

Athens, Greece – Athens played host to a significant event on October 5th and 6th, 2023, as the Ministry of Education, Religious Affairs and Sports, along with EPATHLA the Greek National Platform for Sports, became the focal point for a two-day symposium addressing the preservation of sports integrity and the fight against manipulation in sport. The Awareness Raising Practical Session (ARPS) was part of the IntegriSport 3.0 project and organized by CSCF Foundation for Sports Integrity, the coordinator and content experts of the project. This exceptional gathering brought together an impressive lineup of 35 influential speakers, uniting experts, visionaries, and key stakeholders from diverse sectors to tackle the multifaceted challenge of sport manipulation.

Integrisport 3.0 is a project established to provide theoretical and practical support for law enforcement and judiciaries in the six program countries: Austria, Bulgaria, Estonia, Greece, Romania, and Spain, co-financed by the European Union. The inaugural awareness-raising practical session marked the commencement of this project and the 14th edition of the successful Integrisport program, reaching nearly two-thirds of EU countries' law enforcement and judiciaries in the last 4,5 years.

Among the notable keynote speakers were Hon’ble Alternate Minister for Sports Mr. Ioannis Vroutsis, celebrated Member of European Parliament and sports legend Theodoros Zagorakis, Vourliotis Charalambos, Head of the Independent Authority for Money Laundering, Greece, Alexandra Rogkakou, Head of the National Transparency Authority and George Mavrotas, Secretary General of Sport and Chair of the Follow Up Committee of the Macolin Convention. The event saw participation from a number of distinguished representatives from law enforcement agencies, eminent judiciary officials, renowned figures from the world of sports, influential voices from players' unions, leaders from the betting sector, and pioneers in esports.

The event was a collaborative effort, jointly hosted by the Ministry of Education, Religious Affairs and Sports, along with the Greek National Platform for Sport Integrity (EPATHLA) and co-hosted by CSCF Foundation for Sport Integrity, an organization dedicated to fortifying the integrity of sports as the event's coordinator and content provider. This collaborative spirit extended further with substantial support from esteemed organizations like ULIS and FIFPRO, along with Interpol, actively participating in the proceedings.

At its core, this symposium aimed to provide a blend of theoretical insights and practical guidance to law enforcement agencies, judiciary bodies, and industry stakeholders. Together, they delved into the myriad challenges surrounding sport manipulation and crimes within the world of sports. Another primary objective was to foster national and international cooperation, recognizing that this global issue demands a united front.

CSCF Foundation for Sport Integrity, the driving force behind this initiative, has long championed the cause of sports integrity. Their commitment to this noble endeavor recognizes the need for collective action to effectively combat manipulation within the sports industry.

Hon'ble Minister Vroutsis, emphasized the event's significance, stating, "The battle against sport manipulation is pivotal in preserving the essence of fair competition in sports. We are proud to stand in the frontline with experts and stakeholders to collectively address this issue and ensure equitable opportunities for all athletes."


CSCF Foundation for Sport Integrity 's Director, Norbert Rubicsek, shared his insights, stating, "Our dedication to upholding the purity of sports has propelled us to organize this groundbreaking event. We firmly believe that by fostering cooperation among all stakeholders, we can forge a resilient framework to combat sport manipulation and safeguard the values that make sports so special."


The Athens event marks a transformative stride in the ongoing quest to safeguard the integrity of sports. With experts and influencers uniting, there is renewed hope for a future where sports remain a beacon of fair play and honest competition, inspiring generations to come.

George Mavrotas the Chair of the Macolin Convention’s ´Follow Up Committee´ and Secretary General of Sport noted that: “The sport movement alone cannot face this global threat behind which organized crime is often found. For this reason, synergies with the law enforcement and other government authorities as well as with the betting ecosystem are necessary. These are cases that are not easily proven and for this the effective investigation of such cases needs inputs from both the sports community and the betting ecosystem and of course the expertise of the prosecuting authorities at national and international level with the appropriate collaborations. IntegriSport 3.0 programme aims at this direction.”

The Athens event marks a transformative stride in the ongoing quest to safeguard the integrity of sports. With experts and influencers uniting, there is renewed hope for a future where sports remain a beacon of fair play and honest competition, inspiring generations to come.

For media inquiries, please contact: admin@cscfsport.com

🏂 Celebrating the Successful Conclusion of SafeShred: Empowering Sport Ethics and Integrity Awareness among Grassroots Snowboard Riders 🌟

We are thrilled to announce the successful culmination of SafeShred, an education program coordinated by the World Snowboard Federation and implemented by the sport integrity experts of CSCF Foundation for Sport Integrity. We take immense pride in the impact we have made in raising awareness of ethical issues among the future stars of snowboarding – the grassroots riders – and the sport community in general.

SafeShred aimed to equip young riders with a comprehensive understanding of key sport integrity issues, enabling them to navigate challenges they may encounter in their snowboarding journey. This groundbreaking program covered a wide range of crucial topics, explained in the most simple manner to the young riders of different age groups, ensuring that these aspiring athletes possess the knowledge and tools to thrive while maintaining integrity.

Throughout the project, we delved into various significant subjects, including:


- Manipulation of sports competition

- Doping

- Harassment and bullying

- Corruption

- Whistleblowing system

- Basic human rights

By addressing these issues head-on, the project aims to foster a culture of fairness, respect, and transparency within the snowboarding community. Our collective efforts have not only provided essential knowledge but also empowered these young riders to act and react confidently when confronted with such issues, enabling them to make informed decisions and protect themselves and their sport throughout their journey as athletes

One of the remarkable achievements of this two-year project is the development of essential resources, including the Rider's Practical Guide and the multilingual E-learning platform available in English, German, Finnish, Italian, and Swedish. These deliverables, along with the research-based comprehensive pedagogical training materials and the trained trainers in each of the countries, provide the World Snowboard Federation and its members with a powerful and unparalleled toolset allowing them to create a sustainable training program for years to come.


“We extend our heartfelt appreciation to the entire SafeShred team and our dedicated partners for their unwavering commitment and hard work. Together, we have made a lasting impact on the future of snowboarding by nurturing a new generation of riders who excel both on the slopes and as ethical ambassadors of the sport”, said Norbert Rubicsek, Director of CSCF Foundation for Sports Integrity, who was also one of the experts for creating the above resources for the SafeShred project.

As we celebrate the successful conclusion of SafeShred, we invite everyone to reflect on the importance of of fostering a culture of integrity, particularly one that emphasizes proactive action rather than reactive response to ethical issues.

Please feel free to reach out if you would like to learn more about SafeShred or collaborate on similar projects. Together, we can build a brighter future for sports, where ethics and excellence go hand in hand!

PROJECT COORDINATOR

Company: CSCF Foundation for Sport Integrity (https://cscfsport.com/)


Location: Remote - Homebased, with possible virtual and/or on-site short-term assignments


Main working language: English 


Contract Type: Service contract on a project basis


Term of the Contract: On a project basis and depending on the evolving needs of the organisation.


Start Date:  Upon request on a project basis and depending on the evolving needs of the organization.

CSCF – Sport Integrity Group

CSCF supports stakeholders within and around the sports ecosystem to be better equipped to face challenges stemming from sport integrity breaches, as well as to create opportunities for effective and innovative programs and partnerships in the fields of our expertise through sports. This includes- but is not limited to- sport manipulation, corruption, doping, different kinds of violence (discrimination, hooliganism, racism, sexual abuse), human rights violations, lack of governance, and omerta. CSCF has been providing services in the field of sport integrity such as research, education and awareness, corruption and crime prevention, policy making, governance, regulations and structures, risk assessment and crisis management, performance betting and monitoring analysis data, operational assistance to run ethics and integrity projects, safety and security, and intelligence-led investigations.

For further information please visit our website: https://cscfsport.com/


About the position

As CSCF is developing several projects/programs, we are looking for project coordinators to support the planning, procurement, and execution of the same.


Objectives of the position

The project coordinators will support the implementation of CSCF projects/programs as needed.


About the responsibilities:


    Ensure the overall management of the project(s)/program(s) and aspects of the project cycle (initiating, planning, executing, and closing).

    Liaise with key stakeholders and represent the group and its projects.

    Oversee the activities of experts in CSCF projects/programs.

    Coordinate the content and knowledge of experts’ activities.

    Plan the dissemination of the projects results.

    Report about the project/program implementation to the management of CSCF.

    Attending conferences on behalf of CSCF and our projects

    Other related tasks.


About the involvement:


Participation in activities/deliverables is subject to emerging projects/programs, as well as the availability of funds for projects and/or mutual agreements between CSCF and the provider. Once the supplier has been pre-selected, a work agreement will be established to facilitate contracting as and when required by both parties.

 

Desired profile


Experience in project management, from conception to delivery;

Excellent organisational and administrative skills;

Proven ability to meet deadlines, operate with limited supervision;

Detail-oriented and meticulous work manner;

Fluent English - excellent writing skills.

Working in the sport and/or sport integrity domain would be an asset.

The candidate must be a natural person.

 

Procedure for expression of interest

Candidates interested in take part in this call, are kindly invited to send their CV with contact details of references and a short motivation letter (in English) together with reference material that is suitable for one of the abovementioned deliverables to the following addresses:

recruitment@cscfsport.com

 

Due to the high volume of applications, only shortlisted candidates will be contacted. The applicants should be available for an interview via videoconference.

The invitation to an interview and the inclusion in the pool do not establish any entitlement to future obligation to be contracted.

Deadline for applications: 31st of March 2023 (midnight CET)

EXPERTS ON SPORT INTEGRITY

Company: CSCF Foundation for Sport Integrity (https://cscfsport.com/)


Location: Remote - Homebased, with possible virtual and/or on-site short-term assignments.


Main working language: English 


Contract Type: Service contract on a project basis


Term of the Contract: On a project basis and depending on the evolving needs of the organisation.


Start Date:  Upon request on a project basis and depending on the evolving needs of the organization.

CSCF – Sport Integrity Group

CSCF supports stakeholders within and around the sports ecosystem to be better equipped to face challenges stemming from sport integrity breaches, as well as to create opportunities for effective and innovative programs and partnerships in the fields of our expertise through sports. This includes- but is not limited to- sport manipulation, corruption, doping, different kinds of violence (discrimination, hooliganism, racism, sexual abuse), human rights violations, lack of governance, and omerta. CSCF has been providing services in the field of sport integrity such as research, education and awareness, corruption and crime prevention, policy making, governance, regulations and structures, risk assessment and crisis management, performance betting and monitoring analysis data, operational assistance to run ethics and integrity projects, safety and security, and intelligence-led investigations.

For further information please visit our website: https://cscfsport.com/

About the position

As CSCF is developing several projects/programs, we are looking for service providers to support the implementation of the same, with a particular expertise in the field of sport ethics and integrity notably sport manipulation and corruption, safeguarding (preventing abuse in sport), good governance and doping.

Objectives of the position

The experts will support the implementation of CSCF projects/programs as needed.


About your responsibilities:

Experts will be selected from the established pool depending on the project’s need and will contribute to the development of content and knowledge of project activities from concept creation to implementation and completion. This will include writing reports, articles and other relevant documents and deliverables, as well as conducting research, writing presentations, as required.

About your involvement:


Participation in activities/deliverables is subject to emerging projects/programs, as well as the availability of funds for projects and/or mutual agreements between CSCF and the provider. Once the supplier has been pre-selected, a work agreement will be established to facilitate contracting as and when required by both parties.

Desired profile

University degree on law, sport law, sport integrity, law enforcement, sport management, or equivalent;

Relevant and proven experience in the field of sport integrity, including doping, safeguarding, racism, sport manipulation or other issues related to sports integrity,

Relevant knowledge in concepts and methodologies related to sport integrity matters;

Practical knowledge and experience in sports ethics and integrity;

Training and facilitation skills;

Excellent drafting skills;

Experience in sport ideally dealing with international (sports) organizations;

Proven ability to meet deadlines;

Detail-oriented and meticulous work manner;

Fluent English - excellent writing skills;

Experience in drafting policy and strategy papers/documents/reports, drafting guidelines, (internal) working procedures, recommendations.

The candidate must be a natural person.

Procedure for expression of interest

Experts interested in taking part in this call are kindly invited to send their CV with contact details of references and a short motivation letter (in English) together with reference material that is suitable for one of the abovementioned deliverables to the following address:

recruitment@cscfsport.com

Due to the high volume of applications, only shortlisted candidates will be contacted. The applicants should be available for an interview via videoconference.

The invitation to an interview and the inclusion in the pool do not establish any entitlement to future obligations to be contracted.

Deadline for applications: 31st of March, 2023 (midnight CET).

Official Launch of EU Co-Funded Project IntegriSport 3.0 2023-24

Third edition of IntegriSport to continue its focus on investigation and prosection by law enforcement and judicial authorities of sport manipulation across 6 countries!

2 March 2023. The IntegriSport 3.0, co-funded by the Erasmus+ Sports fund, was officially launched today at a kick-off meeting in Vienna with all 10 project and supporting Partners.

A third edition on the heels of 2 successful projects

The project, developed and coordinated by the CSCF Foundation for Sport Integrity, builds upon the success and learnings of its predecessors IntegriSport Erasmus+ (2019-20) and IntegriSport Next (2021-22). The IntegriSport Concept has already helped to train over 400 officials from almost 25 law enforcement and judicial organisations and with this third edition, it shall be reaching almost 2/3rd of the EU, proving its uniqueness and promoting the importance of awareness, strengthening capacities and increasing the efficiency of the target group in the fight against criminal activities in sport.

The IntegriSport 3.0 project marks a joint commitment to engage in multi-stakeholder and transnational co-operation, with 6 country Partners from Austria, Bulgaria, Estonia, Greece, Romania and Spain. They are joined by the project’s academic Partner, Institut Nacional d’Educació Física de Catalunya, and International Partner, United Lotteries for Integrity in Sports, the latter of which has been a partner since the 1st edition.

The project consortium includes:

Country Partners Organisations: Play Fair Code, Austria, Estonian Center for Integrity in Sports (ESTCIS), Bulgarian Ministry of Youth and Sports, Greek Ministry of Culture and Sport, Romanian Ministry of Sport, Spanish National Police

Partner organisations: Institut Nacional d’Educació Física de Catalunya, Spain (INEFC) and United Lotteries for Integrity in Sports (ULIS)

Supporting organisations: FIFPRO

New dimensions, topics and tools for investigation and prosecution of match-fixing

The Project will only continue to impart the much appreciated comprehensive awareness raising training programs to Law Enforcement Agencies (LEA) and Judicial Authorities (JA) in Europe, and additionally improve from the learnings, adding several more dimensions, topics and tools to provide the best possible knowledge and operational support to tackle sports manipulation and criminal intrusion into sports.

Operational activities kick-off with Austria Fact-Finding mission

6-7 March 2023. The first operational activity under IntegriSport 3.0 project shall be a Fact Finding Mission in Austria, where CSCF and Partner organization experts shall conduct focused discussions with various key stakeholders and decision makers from Austria , setting the baseline for the research and implementation phase of the project.

For more information, please contact the CSCF Projects Team:

integrisport3.admin@cscfsport.com


Social media

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Linkedin: @CSCF_Integrity

Twitter: @CSCF_Integrity

Facebook: @CSCFSportintegrity

Instagram: @CSCF_Integrity

For more pictures request to integrisport3.admin@cscfsport.com