Conference on INTEGRITY OF SPORTS – COUNTERING MATCH-FIXING marking the club’s 120th Anniversary
BITEFIX Collaborative Partnership directed to help tackling match-fixing in sport held its 5th transnational project meeting with all its partners on 21st April 2023 at HAŠK Mladost Sports Centre in Zagreb and continuing on 22nd April, at the Faculty of Kinesiology of the University of Zagreb, with an international conference on INTEGRITY OF SPORTS – COUNTERING MATCH-FIXING
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
The 5th transnational project meeting (TPM) of ERASMUS+ Sport’ BITEFIX project was held at HAŠK Mladost Sports Centre in Zagreb. The Partnership analysed the results produced thus far – namely the Guide of Best Practices on the Fight Against Match-Fixing, available at bitefix.eu –, evaluated the progress of the project and discussed different topics such as implementation of the online training on the “Educational Program” (bitefix.eu/e-learning) and of the BITEFIX e-Community – “International Network of Experts on match-fixing and betting-fraud in sports” and Policy recommendations on the exchange of information to combat the manipulation of sports competitions.
HAŠK Mladost organised a BITEFIX Training Session at the side of the TPM, with athletes and club staff, led by Prof. Marcelo Moriconi (ISCTE University, Portugal) and Affy SHEIKH (Starlizard Integrity Services, UK).
Zagreb based HAŠK Mladost (leader of WP2) will also host the International Conference INTEGRITY OF SPORTS – COUNTERING MATCH-FIXING, within the framework of the program marking the 120th anniversary of HAŠK Mladost, under the patronage of the Mayor of the City of Zagreb – Mr. Tomislav TOMAŠEVIĆ. Some of the prominent experts in this field at the meeting, which is held within the Erasmus+ Sport program of the European Commission: Diogo GUIA (ICSS, Project Coordinator, UK), Prof. Marcelo MORICONI (ISCTE University, Portugal) and José Vinas RODRIGUEZ (Sevilla FC Foundation, Spain).
The project’s main deliverables, marked for the next 3 months, with special focus on WP3 “Educational Program” and its e-learning platform, are:
Implementation of the training on the Educational program on the exchange of information and data protection to fight against match-fixing and betting-fraud in sport with key stakeholders
Launch of the BITEFIX e-Community– “International Network of Experts on match-fixing and betting-fraud in sports”, and
Policy recommendations on the exchange of information to combat the manipulation of sports competitions
Bojan Mijatovic (HAŠK Mladost, Croatia):
“Manipulation in sports is not only characteristic of high and professional sports, but the threat is there at the grassroots level of European Sports. Only by continuous vigilance and concrete tools – physical and virtual – can we bring security to safeguard the integrity of sports. HAŠK Mladost advocates that Croatian institutions need to engage more seriously and responsibly to meet the Macolin Convention standard”.
Affy SHEIKH (Starlizard Integrity Services, UK):
“Delivering training and education programmes to athletes and clubs, raising awareness about the extent and threat of match-fixing and how it can affect them, is such an important facet of sports integrity work. With that in mind, it was great to engage with the athletes and club officials at HAŠK Mladost on the subject today”.
Marcelo MORICONI (ISCTE University, Portugal):
“The feedback of the public showed the importance of such educative initiatives. There is still so much to do. It is not only important to explain what a fix is, but also understand the new incentive and risk areas that the current betting market have created”.
José Vinas RODRIGUEZ (Sevilla FC Foundation, Spain):
“we should pay attention on the importance of training grassroots teams about these issues and be raise awareness of what the consequences are for them and their mates. At Sevilla FC Foundation we are in line with the authorities and all types of such initiatives that assure the growing protection of our competitions”.
Diogo GUIA (ICSS, Project Coordinator, UK):
“We are honoured and proud to be celebrating HAŠK Mladost’s 120th Anniversary on this occasion, by holding BITEFIX’s Transnational Project’s meeting, Trainings and an international Conference around the important combat to the manipulation of sports competitions. This was an important moment for sharing the tools produced by the consortium so far, available at the project’s website, and highlight the importance of bringing people together to strengthen the resilience of sports’ organisations and work with determination and passion for the safeguard of sport’s values”.
About BITEFIX
BITEFIX is a Collaborative Partnership project co-funded by the ERASMUS+ Sport program of the European Union. Led by the International Centre for Sport Security (ICSS) INSIGHT and the consortium, it includes 7 other organisations: Paris 1 Panthéon-Sorbonne University (France), ISCTE – Associação ISCTE Conhecimento e Inovação (Portugal), Sevilla Fútbol Club Foundation (Spain), Calcio Servizi Lega Pro Srl / Lega Italiana Calcio Professionistico (Italy), Starlizard Integrity Services (UK), HAŠK Mladost (Croatia), and Grupo Desportivo Estoril Praia (Portugal)
BITEFIX allows a group of committed stakeholders from different areas and backgrounds to work together in the establishment of networks and in the development of tools and materials to counter match-fixing and betting fraud, while identifying and putting in value initiatives, projects and strategies. The project has a focus in awareness raising and aims at offering quality training and education packages to grassroots levels and key-stakeholders, thus contributing to the EU strategic objectives of solidarity and prosperity through sports.
For further information and if you are interested in a media briefing, please contact:
Diogo Guia
ICSS INSIGHT – COO & Director Sport Public Policy
Email: diogo.guia@theicss-insight.org
Michelle Maxwell
ICSS INSIGHT– Project Coordinator
Email: michelle.maxwell@theicss.org
Bojan MIJATOVIĆ
Head of international cooperation of HAŠK Mladost
Email: bojan@hask-mladost.hr
