Vienna, 24 April 2019 - As in many other areas of society, sport is not immune from the threats posed by corruption and crime.
Specifically, these threats include competition manipulation and illegal betting, but sport has also been undermined by the involvement of organized crime, fraud and abuse of function, among others. Realising the need to move quickly and effectively to prevent, detect and sanction these problems, the international community is increasing efforts to safeguard sport.
With the adoption of resolution 7/8 on Corruption in Sport, by the Conference of States Parties to the United Nations Convention against Corruption at its seventh session, held in Vienna from 6 to 10 November 2017, the United Nations Office on Drugs and Crime (UNODC), with its strong mandate and extensive expertise in fighting crime and strengthening criminal justice, is working with multiple stakeholders to find ways to safeguard sport from corruption and crime.
With a view to further strengthening international efforts on this front, a Memorandum of Understanding between UNODC and Supreme Committee for Delivery and Legacy of Qatar was signed today.
Representing UNODC, the Director for Treaty Affairs, Mr. John Brandolino, signed the Memorandum of Understanding at a ceremony in Vienna with Brigadier Ibrahim Khalil Al-Mohannadi, who represented the Security Committee within the Supreme Committee for Delivery and Legacy of Qatar which has the mission to "successfully deliver all infrastructure and host country planning and operations required for Qatar to host an amazing and historic FIFA World Cup™ which accelerates progress towards achieving national development goals and creates a lasting legacy for Qatar, the Middle East, Asia and the world."
"Supporting efforts to effectively implement resolution 7/8 on corruption in sport is an important mandate for UNODC and developing a partnership with the Supreme Committee is an important step towards achieving that aim," Mr. Brandolino said at the signing ceremony.
The agreement will strengthen UNODC and the Supreme Committee's efforts to safeguard sport from corruption and crime through awareness raising, capacity building and technical assistance activities designed for sport organizations and representatives of national criminal justice institutions.
