The Finnish Center for Integrity in Sports (FINCIS) and the National Platform have jointly issued a report, a so-called risk assessment, on manipulation of sports competitions. The situation is relatively good at the moment, but in the event of cases of manipulation of sports competitions, the various sports stakeholders must recognise their responsibilities. The stakeholders’ rules and processes must be up to date, and the authorities must have the necessary will to investigate related offences.
The risk of competition manipulation in Finnish sport remains low overall, as the amount of betting and money involved in most sports is low by international standards. The biggest risks concern the major ball game sports, particularly teams in the lower tiers. They have been linked to suspicions of match-fixing in 2023 and 2024.
“Considering the overall situation, we are in a good position with regard to manipulation of sports competitions. However, all sports stakeholders must be aware of the threat of manipulation of sports competitions and the related sports-specific characteristics, control measures and their own responsibility. Suspicions of manipulation of competitions must always be reported through FINCIS’ ILMO channel, for example. In this way, everyone takes responsibility for combating the phenomenon,” says Jouko Ikonen, FINCIS’ Chief Investigative Officer.
The risk assessment published by FINCIS is based on assessments of risk factors and vulnerabilities threatening Finnish sport. It includes international and illegal betting, international connections in sport, the ability to identify manipulation of sports competitions and the commercial exploitation of sport in criminal activities. The risk assessment serves as a tool for management and decision-making, as manipulation of sports competitions is a threat to sports organisations, to the reputation of different sports and to sport at large.
Identifying manipulation of sports competitions is challenging
Identifying manipulation of sports competitions is still the biggest challenge for both sports organisations and authorities. The threat is now easier to recognise, thanks to the Fair Competition programmes of sports organisations. Organisations have taken various measures to improve their ability to identify and combat the phenomenon. A key training channel is the free Fair Win online training focused on the prevention of competition manipulation.
“Manipulation of sports competitions very often also involves an international dimension in which a Finnish sporting event can be used as a means of fraud. The international dimension and the many forms of manipulation present challenges, which is why international police co-operation is important,” says Tuomo Korhonen, Chief Superintendent at the National Police Board of Finland.
Gambling reform increases the risk of manipulation of sports competitions
The National Platform has estimated that the gambling reform increases the risk of manipulation of sports competitions if the online betting offering increases as expected. As a countermeasure to the growing risk, legislation needs to be reviewed, international agreements ratified and barriers to the exchange of information removed. In Finland, there is a need for legislation on sports fraud so that the roles, powers and resources of the authorities ensure that they can, for example, obtain all necessary information from licence holders for criminal investigations and prosecution.
FINCIS serves as the chair and secretariat of the National Platform and the members are: the Ministry of Education and Culture, the National Police Board of Finland (NPBF), the NPBF’s Gambling Administration, the National Bureau of Investigation, the National Prosecution Authority, the Finnish Olympic Committee, the Football Association of Finland, the Finnish Ice Hockey Association, the Finnish Basketball Federation, the Finnish Football Players’ Union and Veikkaus Oy.
National competition manipulation risk assessment 2024
ILMO whistleblowing platform ilmo.suek.fi
Fair competition programmes
Further information:
Susanna Sokka
FINCIS – Communication Manager
tel. +358 (0)40 740 7477