IBIA Integrity Initiative Takes on Canadian Soccer

A new sports integrity initiative is set to launch in Canada, focusing on the education of Canadian Premier League (CPL) players and staff. This program is a collaborative effort between the International Betting Integrity Association (IBIA), bet365, Betway, FanDuel, and the Professional Footballers’ Association Canada (PFA Canada). Starting in May 2024, the initiative aims to train approximately 300 individuals on the dangers of match-fixing related to sports betting.

The CEO of IBIA, Khalid Ali, emphasized the importance of educating soccer professionals to prevent them from becoming targets of criminal activities. He stated, “Protecting soccer players, staff, and officials from being targeted by criminals is an essential first step to stamping-out sports-betting related match-fixing and fraud.”

The training will be a mix of in-person sessions and online materials, covering the operational environment, rules, sanctions, and the use of technology in sports integrity monitoring. Dan Kruk, Executive Director of PFA Canada, highlighted the value of in-person training for establishing trust with athletes.

The program is supported by a CA$300,000 investment from IBIA and its member operators, which will also benefit other sports in Canada. Dale Hooper, General Manager of FanDuel Canada, and Joachim Bjerg of Betway expressed their commitment to this educational initiative, recognizing its role in safeguarding sports integrity.

Jean-Francois Reymond, IBIA’s Education Ambassador, will assist PFA Canada trainers in launching the program. He remarked on the necessity of protecting athletes from the risks associated with sports betting, stating, “Protecting the integrity of sport means protecting the integrity of athletes.”