Key Moments:
- Malta criminalized match manipulation in 2018, implementing strict penalties including mandatory imprisonment.
- IBIA’s 2024 report showed 17 individuals were sanctioned based on betting data provided by operators.
- Panelists emphasized the importance of education and international cooperation in fighting corruption in sports.
Stronger Laws and Cooperative Efforts Shape Malta’s Fight Against Corruption
During a panel discussion at the SiGMA Euro-Med Summit in Malta on 2 September, experts delved into urgent issues surrounding match-fixing, corruption, and unregulated betting. Participants included Kevin Azzopardi (PR and Communications Advisor, and Secretary General of the Maltese Olympic Committee), Dr Herman Mula (Integrity Officer and Legal Services Manager of the Malta Football Association), and Antonio Abdilla Zerafa (Project-Based Consultant at the International Betting Integrity Association).
Dr Herman Mula discussed Malta’s approach, highlighting the 2018 legislation that made match manipulation a criminal offense with severe consequences, such as mandatory prison sentences. Mula explained that effective policies also depend on comprehensive stakeholder collaboration, noting the strong formal and informal relationships among local sports entities, regulators, and operators. The Authority for Integrity in Maltese Sport was newly created to reinforce these collaborative efforts.
Education Emerges as a Foundation for Integrity
A key focus of the panel was the preventive role of education. Kevin Azzopardi from the Maltese Olympic Committee asserted that teaching ethical and regulatory standards deserves equal emphasis as technical and administrative training. He stressed that even minor actions, like athletes posting sensitive information on social media, can contribute to integrity risks. The Olympic Committee is actively coordinating with the Authority for Integrity in Maltese Sport to promote ongoing awareness initiatives, targeting not just athletes but also students at the school level.
Azzopardi emphasized starting education early: “If we really believe in a great result in 10 years, it must start from a young age.”
Data Sharing and the Power of Betting Operators
From an international perspective, Antonio Abdilla Zerafa detailed the critical part betting firms play in exposing suspicious behavior. Through the IBIA’s worldwide monitoring platform, operators share transactional information to detect irregular patterns, which are then passed on to sports bodies and regulatory authorities. In the most recent IBIA report for 2024, data provided by betting operators led to sanctions against 17 individuals, underscoring the industry’s active role in upholding compliance standards and protecting sporting integrity.
Addressing Gaps in Enforcement and Jurisdictional Differences
The panel acknowledged the significant threat unregulated betting markets present, with Mula pointing out that activities within these channels are largely beyond the reach of oversight and scrutiny. He stressed the necessity for regulators and law enforcement agencies to strengthen intelligence capabilities. Abdilla Zerafa identified disparities between national approaches towards match-fixing as an obstacle, with the transnational operations of fixers and illegal operators complicating enforcement and highlighting the urgent need for unified international action.
Commitment to Safeguarding Fair Play
Despite ongoing challenges, the conversation returned to the shared responsibility to defend the fundamentals of fair competition. Some organizations remain resistant to integrity training, which panelists warned leaves them vulnerable. As Kevin Azzopardi concluded, “Sports are beautiful. Sport is about fair play and respect. We are duty-bound to tackle manipulation robustly.”
Panel Participants and Roles
| Name | Position or Affiliation |
|---|---|
| Kevin Azzopardi | PR and Communications Advisor; Secretary General, Maltese Olympic Committee |
| Dr Herman Mula | Integrity Officer and Legal Services Manager, Malta Football Association |
| Antonio Abdilla Zerafa | Project-Based Consultant, International Betting Integrity Association (IBIA) |
For more information on sports integrity, regulation, and trends in the betting sector, readers are directed to the SiGMA website.
- Author
Daniel Williams
