The Global Fight Against Match-fixing: A 2024 Update
A new report from Sportradar Integrity Services, “Integrity in Action 2024 Global Analysis & Trends,” reveals a promising trend: a 17% decrease in sporting events flagged for potential match-fixing worldwide. While this progress is encouraging, the battle against corruption in sports remains ongoing.
Football continues to be the sport most affected by match-fixing attempts, with 721 suspicious matches identified in 2024, down from 881 in the previous year. Basketball follows with 187 cases, highlighting the vulnerability of popular team sports.Other sports impacted include tennis (69 cases), table tennis (41), esports (32), volleyball (29), cricket (15), futsal (5), beach volleyball (4), handball (3), badminton (1), and ice hockey (1).
Analyzing the frequency of suspicious matches across these sports paints a clearer picture.Football, with its massive global following, sees one match flagged for every 233 played. Basketball follows with a rate of one suspicious match per 317 games. While esports, tennis, and table tennis have lower rates, with one suspicious match occurring for every 1,190, 1,751, and 3,724 matches respectively, thier inclusion underscores the pervasive nature of match-fixing.
Beyond football, a total of 387 suspicious matches were detected across 11 other sports in 2024, compared to 450 cases in 10 sports the previous year. This data emphasizes that match-fixing is not confined to major sports; it poses a notable threat to the integrity of a wide range of athletic competitions, including those considered less prominent.
“A Win for Fair Play?”: An Interview with Basketball Great, Lisa Sterling, on the Fight Against Match-Fixing
[intro image of Lisa Sterling]
The sporting world received some encouraging news this week: match-fixing incidents are down globally. Sportradar Integrity Services’ latest report revealed a 17% decrease in suspicious matches worldwide, a promising sign in the ongoing battle against corruption. we sat down with retired basketball legend and advocate for clean sport, Lisa Sterling, to discuss these findings and what they meen for the future of athletics.
Moderator: Lisa, thanks for joining us. The 17% drop in suspicious match reports is certainly a positive development. What are your initial thoughts on this trend?
lisa Sterling: ItS definitely a step in the right direction, and it shows that the efforts to combat match-fixing are having an impact. The sheer scale of the challenge, however, shouldn’t be overlooked.
Moderator: Absolutely. Football still leads the way in reported incidents with 721 suspicious matches flagged in 2024. Do you think the popularity and financial stakes in football make it particularly vulnerable?
Lisa Sterling: There’s no doubt that the massive global following and lucrative betting markets surrounding football make it a prime target for match-fixers. It’s a sad reality that the love of the game can be exploited for profit.
moderator: Basketball, your sport, follows closely behind with 187 suspicious cases. is this a cause for concern within the basketball community?
Lisa Sterling: Of course it is. Even one instance of match-fixing is one too many.
We need to remain vigilant and proactive in ensuring the integrity of our sport. This requires a multi-pronged approach: educating players and officials, strengthening regulations, and utilizing technology to detect suspicious betting patterns.
Moderator: The report also highlights that match-fixing isn’t limited to major sports, with incidents detected in sports like tennis, table tennis, and esports. Do you believe that the rise in popularity of these sports could make them more susceptible to corruption?
Lisa Sterling: Absolutely. As these sports gain more prominence and attract larger audiences and betting markets, they become increasingly attractive targets. Vigilance is key across all levels of competition.
Moderator: It truly seems a collective effort is needed to tackle this issue effectively.
Lisa sterling: precisely. It takes a village,so to speak. we need athletes, coaches, governing bodies, law enforcement, and fans all working together to protect the integrity of sport.
Moderator: What message would you give to young athletes entering the world of competitive sports?
Lisa Sterling: play with passion, play with honor.Remember that the true victory lies not just in winning but in competing with integrity.
Moderator: Lisa Sterling, thanks for your insightful perspective on this crucial issue. We hope this conversation will spark continued dialog and action in the fight against match-fixing.
What are your thoughts on the battle against match-fixing? Share your opinions in the comments below.
