Gambling Operators Join FIFA's Anti Match-fixing Coalition for Brazil 2014 World Cup

With the 2014 world cup kicking-off in less than a month, the responsible and organizing international football body FIFA is setting up to counter any possibilities of match-fixing throughout the tournament. FIFA security chief Ralf Mutschke said back in March that the concern has to do with players from poorer countries who might be tempted to take part in such ominous activities.

Operators Signing-up

Over 400 gambling operators from all over the world have signed up to assist FIFA in its fight against match fixing on the upcoming world cup, with agreements between FIFA and big regulators like Malta's Lotteries and Gaming Authority, the UK Gambling Commission, the Isle of Man Gambling Supervision Commission and the Gibraltar Gambling Commission.

Early Warning System

FIFA's main match-fixing combating tool is its Early Warning System (EWS). Put in place in 2007, the EWS has already monitored the 2010 World Cup in South Africa and many other tournaments such as Central America's CONCACAF, the Olympics, the Confederations Cup, the Beach Soccer World Cup and more. The EWS relies on both technical and interpersonal means, using its systems to monitor and analyze betting markets around the world but also employing information transmitted by its vast network of contacts including professional punters, operators and regulators, sports journalists and more.

Despite the concerns voiced by its security Chief Ralf Mutschke, Jacek Wojdyla of EWS said that FIFA is not expecting match-fixing at the upcoming tournament in Brazil, with the main reason being the huge media exposure which makes it much harder to engage in such activities. Also, for many players, the world cup is the pinnacle of their careers which they wouldn't want to risk. The world cup is a proving ground for many young players who can land contracts at football clubs if they perform well.