IFAF Integrity
Prevention of the Manipulation of Competitions
IFAF is committed to strengthening the integrity of the sport and protecting clean athletes.
This work encompasses the fight against doping (see the Clean Sport section of the website) and any other forms of cheating in sport alongside the strengthening of ethics with improvements in transparency, good governance and accountability.
This work encompasses the fight against doping (see the Clean Sport section of the website) and any other forms of cheating in sport alongside the strengthening of ethics with improvements in transparency, good governance and accountability.
IFAF Integrity
What is competition manipulation?
According to the legal definition, competition manipulation or match-fixing is “an intentional arrangement, act or omission aimed at an improper alteration of the result or the course of a sports competition in order to remove all or part of the unpredictable nature of the sports competition with a view to obtaining an undue benefit for oneself or for others.” (Council of Europe Convention on the Manipulation of Sports Competitions, 2014).
IFAF Integrity
Match fixing
Match fixing is when the result of a tournament or competition is partially or completely decided in advance and the match is played to ensure the pre-determined outcome. This is against the rules of the game and often the law. The most common reason for match-fixing is to obtain a payoff from gamblers, but teams may also intentionally perform poorly to gain a future advantage, such as a better draft pick or, on paper, a less eminent opponent in a play-off.
IFAF Integrity
Competition manipulation
Competition Manipulation occurs when a participant in a sports competition (for example an athlete, a coach, a judge or referee, etc.) knowingly underperforms or deliberately makes bad or wrong decisions affecting the result or course of a competition, in order to obtain an undue benefit (usually a sporting or financial benefit).
IFAF Integrity
What is sports betting?
Sports betting has existed since ancient times. If properly regulated it is not a problem. Indeed, a well-regulated and controlled sports betting market further engages sports fans and channels interest and enthusiasm towards the sport. Several sports betting entities have financially sponsored sport at all levels and provided support to key social causes. However, if not properly regulated, sports betting can pose a risk of competition manipulation. Prevention of such manipulation is therefore critical.
