Infantino at the UN: “This is how we fight against corruption and sexual abuse in football”

“The new Fifa has learned from its past experiences” on the subject of corruption risk. Thus the president Gianni Infantino, invited by the General Assembly, explained to the UN the commitment against corruption and attempts at match-fixing. Speaking of the special plan of 1.5 billion dollars to federations and confederations for the pandemic crisis, Infantino explained that in order to avoid abuses, FIFA has defined “a solid financial governance mechanism, with certified financial statements and separate audits”.

PROGRAM FOR MINORS

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Among the problems that Fifa intends to tackle with decision, explained Infantino, also sexual abuse and that of minors. “In recent years, reports of harassment and abuse in sport have increased, often linked to the abuse of authority by officials or used as a ‘currency’ of corruption. Sports organizations – he explained – must have preventive and appropriate means to respond to concerns or allegations. We have launched a support program for federations, the Fifa Guardians Program, and in partnership with the UN we are considering the creation of an international center for safe sport “to help manage cases of child abuse in sports.

MONITORED MARKET

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As for financial problems, football, the FIFA president underlined, collects 50% of sports bets in the world and moves a turnover of 600 billion, “and of the 36 thousand games monitored, only 150 are at risk of match-fixing but there are 150 too many. and the pandemic crisis has increased the risk. Match manipulation, although relatively rare, has a devastating impact on the integrity of the game. The international transfer system must also be fit for purpose. A transfer market fueled by speculation and not solidarity involves a growing risk of conflicts of interest, huge market inflation and a growing competitive imbalance. In response, we have created the Fifa Clearing House, a central counterparty in charge of carrying out all required controls in player transfers. “