In addition to the anti-doping programme, sports organisations also draw up a programme to combat the manipulation of sports competitions. Together, these Fair Competition programmes form a part of the responsibility programme of the entire Finnish sports community.
Criteria for prevention of manipulation of sports competitions programmes
In 2021, FINCIS, together with pilot organisations, developed criteria for Fair Competition programmes for sports organisations which define the framework for the prevention of manipulation of sports competitions programmes of the sports organisations. The criteria are designed to help organisations plan and implement their own programmes.
The criteria take into account the obligations of sports organisations contained in national and international agreements and collect all the issues referred to in the various codes and agreements, both in terms of anti-doping activities and manipulation of sports competitions. In addition, international sports federations may have other requirements that organisations must consider in their own programme.
Organisations draw up their own programmes on the basis of the criteria. An organisation can choose the method of implementation, i.e. whether to draft the programmes into one single entity under the Fair Competition programme or as two separate programmes.
The criteria for prevention of manipulation of sports competitions programmes are based on the 2021 situation picture on the manipulation of sports competitions. The situation picture helps the sports community to identify the risks and vulnerabilities related to the manipulation of sports competitions in Finnish sports. The purpose of the criteria is to help sports organisations take responsibility for eliminating the phenomenon of the manipulation of sports competitions, both in their own sport and in sports as a whole.
FINCIS prepares sport-specific risk assessments, which are recorded in the prevention of manipulation of sports competitions programme. The risk assessment guides the measures taken by the sport to combat the phenomenon.
Key highlights
Codes and agreements:
- Through the Code of Conduct, there is a commitment to combatting the manipulation of sports competitions;
- The competition and disciplinary rules provide for the manipulation of sports competitions, betting on close subjects and sharing of inside information to outsiders as a criminal offence;
- Commitment to combat the manipulation of sports competitions as well as a ban on betting have been recorded in the agreements of sports stakeholders.
Training:
- The organisation must have a concrete plan for fulfilling training obligations;
- The organisation monitors the implementation of training obligations;
- The organisation has appointed a responsible person who coordinates manipulation of sports competitions training and who participates in training events for trainers organised by FINCIS.
Communications:
- The organisation’s website contains information on the manipulation of sports competitions and a link to ILMO and Fair Win online training. Manipulation of sports competitions is annually featured in the organisation’s communications;
- The organisation’s person(s) responsible shall attend the federation events organised by FINCIS, where the topic is discussed;
- The organisation has a crisis communication plan that takes into account possible cases that relate to the manipulation of sports competitions.
Measures and co-operation network:
- The organisation draws up its own guidelines for cases that relate to the manipulation of sports competitions;
- There is a valid situation picture for the organisations;
- The organisation will appoint a manipulation of sports competitions contact person to be contacted in case of suspected manipulation of sports competitions. The contact information will also be communicated to FINCIS in case of any changes.
Publication of programmes
Finland and FINCIS are international pioneers in Fair Competition programmes. The criteria are also published in English, and organisations can market the programme model in their own international forums. In this way, Finland’s national working model achieves international influence and serves as an example to other countries.
FINCIS will comment on the organisations’ programmes before they are approved by the Board of Directors. The organisations shall publish their programme on their website and communicate about its content and implementation.
Organisations can find good ideas and new ways of working from ready-made programmes that they can also implement in their own programmes. Therefore, FINCIS will publish all the programmes that the organisations provide on its own website as accessible PDF files, or provide links to the programmes on the organisations’ websites if the organisation provides a link to FINCIS.
In addition, FINCIS publishes on its website a list (PDF file) of organisations covered by the programme.
Commenting on programmes
FINCIS evaluates the Fair Competition programmes of sports organisations and their implementation every 3 to 4 years. The evaluation shall take into account the specific characteristics of the sport in question and emphasise both the design and the implementation of the programme. FINCIS reports the results to the Ministry of Education and Culture. The results of the evaluation can be used in connection with deliberations on state subsidies for sports organisations.
Learn more about the criteria for anti-doping programmes.