2018 Archives - ICSS

Over 100 cases reported into Sport Integrity Hotline

Admin-ICSS — Thu, 13 Sep 2018 00:51:59 +0000

Allegations coming from Africa, Middle East, South Africa and Eastern European countries reporting multiple cases of corruption

Doha, Qatar; 13 September 2018: The Sport Integrity Hotline, a whistleblower channel launched by the ICSS Sport Integrity Unit (SIU) to provide a safe and secure platform to address wrongdoings in sport, has reached a significant milestone in receiving over 100 reported cases.

Officially rolled out in January 2018, the SIU Hotline has rapidly reached the grassroots level in sport, setting up a much-needed platform for athletes, fans and others to report misconduct and integrity issues in global sport.

Reports coming in include allegations of match fixing, doping, sexual exploitation, corrupt club ownership practices, human trafficking and other accusations of criminal activity in sport.

The Sport Integrity Hotline platform is supported by a specialist ethics and case-management agency based in Canada which operates the hotline around the clock, fielding confidential reports via phone, email and online. The Sport Integrity Unit has exclusive access to the incoming reports and handles the ongoing management of cases.

Speaking of the latest hotline statistics, Dale Sheehan, ICSS Director Capacity Building and Education and Director of the SIU, said:

“The number of reported cases is a strong indicator of the global need for a safe, confidential and secure channel for those in sport to speak up. We are extremely pleased that people have felt empowered to reach out in an effort for a clean and fair environment for sport. Our role is to ensure that the investigations are conducted with appropriate due diligence and with as much transparency as possible, without breaching the confidentiality of the reporting process”.

All cases submitted through the hotline are reviewed under the SIU Risk Matrix for due diligence and validity. Certain cases that have not met the threshold have now been closed. Other cases have been forwarded to relevant law enforcement entities and sports authorities for follow up. All cases are monitored by the Sport Integrity Unit to ensure due process.

To contact the Sport Integrity Hotline:

Phone: +1-866-921-6714 (toll-free)

Email: sportintegrityhotline@integritycounts.ca

Submit report online: https://www.integritycounts.ca/org/sportintegrityhotline

Reporting can be done anonymously or whistleblowers have the option of providing contact details for follow up.

-ENDS-

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Gold Coast well placed to deliver ‘safe and secure’ games

Admin-ICSS — Thu, 29 Mar 2018 07:19:53 +0000

BY ANDREW COOKE, DIRECTOR OF SECURITY OPERATIONS AT THE INTERNATIONAL CENTRE FOR SPORT SECURITY (ICSS)

It goes without saying, that security is an essential part of the planning and staging of any successful major sporting event. No Country, host city or venue is exempt from the local and global threats sport now faces. As we all know, the threat is real.

As part of their preparations to deliver the Commonwealth Games, the Gold Coast 2018 Commonwealth Games Corporation (GOLDOC), the government and security forces have made clear from the outset that security was of the utmost priority. They have taken an all ‘risks’, all ‘threats’ approach, which allows for ‘theatre wide’ risk management, so that no threats or risks are overlooked and all vulnerabilities have been assessed and mitigation strategies put in place. This includes risks such as terrorism, the political environment, crime, health, cyber, and natural disasters, as well as protest and demonstration.

During an event of this size and scale, the security and threat environment changes on a daily basis. It is a complex and dynamic situation and can only be managed with an effective integrated framework and structure across the ‘theatre of operations’. For me, as an independent observer, one of the pleasing aspects of the planning for these Games has been the close collaboration of all involved in the security ‘footprint’ from government, to police, support agencies and the GOLDOC security team.

This extends to alignment over the use of security mechanisms and available resources. Interestingly, for these Games, new and emerging artificial intelligence and predictive technology has been assessed and used to automate, accelerate and enhance the ability of police and government agencies to predict real and potential security threats, along with the use of smart data and analytics to identify and forecast emerging trends and risks. This emerging technology will be supported by other security components such as intelligence, drones, access control, x-ray screening, biometrics, facial recognition, RFD devices, CCTV, security guarding, crowd management and specialist responders.

An area where event planning has often fallen short is ensuring security staff are properly trained and are equipped to do their job effectively. With over 4,000 security staff needed to deliver an event of this size, what you quite often find is that security staff are hired on temporary, part-time and low paid contracts and lack experience dealing with often complex and highly pressurised situations. The GOLDOC security team and all stakeholders have worked for many years to put in place structures, policy, procedures, standards and guidelines that will enable them to mitigate the risk in managing private security forces. We eagerly await to see how this will evolve into the operational Games-time requirements and to ascertain if all the hard work of the security team comes to fruition. If all goes well it could well set a platform for managing private security for future major events.

In the final build up to the Games, we saw the security forces testing their security responses around public transport, public unrest, demonstrations and crime. Most recently, emergency services took part in a two-day ‘worst-case scenario’ drill that included tactical police units working from armoured cars, bomb robots, drones, paramedics on bicycles and fire-fighters, coordinated with GOLDOC, the Gold Coast City Council and the Department of Transport. Exercises such as these form a crucial part of preparations and ensure that the proper processes are in place to enable a quick and effective response to any issue that may arise.

Ultimately, you can never underestimate the risks, demands and challenges that are involved in managing the safety and security of an event such as the Commonwealth Games and it is clear that there is ‘no one size fits all’ solution. The key is to prioritise all facets of safety and security at all levels; it has to be the number one priority for the host country. What’s more, it must be approached as an integrated, comprehensive, multi-layered, multi-faceted enterprise; it absolutely cannot be an afterthought.

By learning from previous events and tournaments and understanding past mistakes; ensuring that safety and security planning is integrated into your strategy at the earliest possible opportunity; establishing a seamless collaboration between government, security forces and the organising committee; and, perhaps most importantly, to test, test and test again, you can develop strong foundations for delivering a safe and secure Games, something, I believe, GOLDOC is well placed to do.

Andrew Cooke

Andrew is an internationally experienced and recognised Major Event Sport Safety and Security Specialist with a career spanning over 27 years with multi-disciplinary sport security, risk management and law enforcement experience.

As Director of Security Operations, Andrew leads the ICSS Safety & Security Operations advisory team in their work with major sport events, governments and international federations in their security planning (strategic, tactical and operational), testing & assurance, auditing, training and delivery.

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A pathway to better regulation

Admin-ICSS — Tue, 27 Mar 2018 06:59:27 +0000

By Fred Lord, Director Anti-Corruption & Transparency Operations at the ICSS

“By far the biggest threat to sport remains the failure to effectively regulate sport betting. It is essential to legalise, regulate and enforce.” said Fred Lord, ICSS Director of Anti-Corruption and Transparency Operations (Sport Integrity) at The Future of Football International Congress in Lisbon, Portugal. Joining a panel entitled The Worst in Football – and how to tackle it, Lord, an international expert in the fight against corruption with close to 30 years’ experience in the field, spoke about the global challenges facing the sport; from match fixing and money laundering, to nefarious club ownership and illegal child transfers, he set out a bleak future for football unless collective action is taken. Lord also noted that monopoly within the industry needed to be reduced in order to enhance accountability and transparency.

“The game has never been so popular and commercially successful, but, at the same time, it has never been so vulnerable and exposed to threats. With 11 million Euros per minute poured into the sport betting industry on certain football matches, coupled with gaps in regulatory and governance oversight and cross-border information sharing, organised crime is being allowed to prosper.

“Pleasingly there are a number of significant legal instruments currently in force to help mitigate these threats, including amendments to the United Nations Convention Against Corruption (UNCAC) to incorporate sport integrity. But change within the industry needs to be driven from the top with strong, effective leadership and collective action.

“That is why the ICSS has established a dedicated Sport Integrity Unit. By working hand in hand with clubs, federations, law enforcement and government agencies we are determined to plug the gaps that are elevating the risk of corruption. Our Sport Integrity Hotline, established last December, offers 24-7 access in 220+ languages for people to confidentially report misconduct in sport. We have already seen, in the short time the hotline has been active, a definite need for this service and our investigations unit currently has 18 active cases we are following up.”

Lord added that child trafficking and child smuggling under the guise of sport was another critical issue that needed to be addressed. Not only for the welfare of the child, who may be abandoned without support and heath care in a foreign country, but in terms of national security, when accompanied with false travel documents.

Also speaking at the congress was ICSS INSIGHT CEO Emanuel Macedo de Madeiros, who made a key note address calling on the football community to fight collectively to protect the values and integrity of the sport.

“The future of football only makes sense if it is based on solid principles and firm values. Fans deserve a game that lives up to expectations.”

-ENDS-

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Leaders unite at Securing Sport 2018 and call for new approach to safeguard sport

Admin-ICSS — Sun, 21 Jan 2018 07:08:17 +0000

1Securing Sport 2018 co-hosted by U.S. Chamber of Commerce, the International Centre for Sport Security (ICSS) and The McCain Institute with the support of Qatar Chamber

Top experts highlight urgent need for multi-sector collaboration to combat growing security and integrity challenges in sport

Leaders and international experts from the field of sport safety, security and integrity gathered at Securing Sport 2018 in Washington D.C this week to highlight the importance of a united approach to protecting sport as well as the urgent need to establish strong multi-sector partnerships to combat the emerging threats in sport safety, security and integrity.

Under the theme of ‘The Business of Protecting the Future of Sport’, Securing Sport 2018 brought together executives and experts from around the world to address key security and integrity issues facing sport and to explore business opportunities associated with major event security, sport governance and integrity and the 2022 FIFA World Cup in Qatar.

Organised by the U.S. Chamber of Commerce, the International Centre for Sport Security (ICSS) and The McCain Institute and with the support of the Qatar Chamber of Commerce and Industry, Securing Sport 2018 featured speakers and panellists from a range of international organisations including the Supreme Committee for Delivery & Legacy, United States Anti-Doping Agency (USADA), the Department of Homeland Security, U.S. Center for SafeSport, World Bank, Sport Radar USA and the NFL Players’ Association.

Speaking at the opening, Mohammed Hanzab, ICSS Chairman, said:

“Sport is an unparalleled economic, social, and cultural force. Yet, it is under attack like never before.

“When I established the ICSS nearly eight years ago, I envisaged a world where sport is free from corruption and where stadia and major events were safe and secure for all.

“Through the ICSS and forums like Securing Sport 2018, which gather top international experts from all sectors and corners of the world, I am passionate about making this vision a reality however, if we are to achieve this, it is urgent that we stand together, collaborate and bring together different sectors and expertise to confront the growing threats facing the security and integrity of sport.”

U.S. Chamber President and CEO Thomas J. Donohue added:

“Sport is important to a nation’s culture, identity, and often, its economy. To maintain a vibrant sports industry, we have to answer some big questions. Most critically, we must seek ways to ensure the safety and security of fans, athletes, and employees at sporting events. Because for many, sport is not just a pastime, it’s a passion that they should be able to safely enjoy. Thank you to the ICSS and the McCain Institute for their partnership in bringing together today’s special event. Let’s continue working together to grow and strengthen this vital industry.”

Experts and sports stars highlight technology and integrity issues in sport

In one of the opening sessions of the day, entitled ‘How Technology and Innovation Provide Safety and Security’, Shaun McCarthy (CEO, ICSS Enterprise) led a panel of technology experts to discuss the role of technology in sport and how it can play a key role in protecting major sport events.

During the panel, experts discussed the important relationship between people and technology as well as how greater trust is needed in the new and developing technologies now available to governments and other host cities and nations in securing major sport events.

Later in the day, Emanuel Medeiros (CEO, ICSS INSIGHT) moderated the ‘Safeguarding the Integrity of Sport’ panel featuring senior figures from USADA, SportRadar USA, NFL Players’ Association and the World Bank. Panellists debated the impact of legalised sport betting in the United States, as well as the need to educate more athletes about the dangers of doping and match-fixing, including through the use of mobile platforms and applications like the ICSS’s Trusted Athlete app that is currently under development.

Securing Sport 2018 also included a number of highly emotive panels and speeches from high-profile sport stars, international experts and senior figures from US government and other sectors of civil society throughout the day.

Speaking on the ‘Protecting Our Youth in Sport’ panel, moderated by Michael Hershman (Group CEO, ICSS), Shellie Pfohl (CEO, U.S. Center for SafeSport) passionately shared her insight’s about the role her organisation plays in protecting young athletes in the United States and encouraged more efforts at a regional and international level to help educate parents and athletes about best practice in safeguarding young athletes, as well as how to identify and prevent cases of abuse in sport.

In addition, Dikembe Mutombo (NBA legend and President of the Dikembe Mutombo Foundation) also spoke about his experiences growing up as young athlete in Congo and arriving in the United States. He was joined by Mary Harvey (U.S. Department of State Sports Envoy, Former U.S. Women’s National Team goalkeeper and Special Advisor – Sustainability at United Bid 2026), who spoke about how human rights is playing an increasingly important and central role in major events and within the governance of sport.

Under the overall conference theme, representatives from the Supreme Committee for Delivery & Legacy also attended the event and provided an update on the latest progress and developments on stadia and infrastructure currently being built for the 2022 FIFA World Cup in Qatar, as well as safety and security measures being put in place for the tournament.

H.E. Hassan Al Thawadi, Secretary General of the Supreme Committee for Delivery & Legacy, said:

“The safety of everyone attending or participating in the 2022 FIFA World Cup is our top priority. We’re determined to not only deliver the greatest, but also the safest and most secure FIFA World Cup ever and to leave a lasting positive legacy for the region.

“Qatar is already one of the safest countries in the world, making it a popular tourist destination. However, with almost 1.7m fans due in 2022, our Security Committee, headed by H.E. the Prime Minister and Minister of Interior, H.E. Sheikh Abdullah bin Nasser bin Khalifa Al Thani, has left no stone unturned in finding and eliminating potential threats.

“From the numerous cooperation agreements put in place with international institutions, including INTERPOL and the ICSS, to enhance the effectiveness of our security initiatives, to the regular observation programmes we conduct to other mega-events, safety and security will remain of the utmost importance to the SC to ensure the 2022 FIFA World Cup Qatar is as enjoyable and exciting as it is safe in five years’ time.”

Al Mannai: Qatar Chamber supports ICSS to achieve sports integrity

As part of Qatar Chamber’s support for the event, QC’s Board Member Adel Al Mannai attended on behalf of the chairman HE Sheikh Khalifa bin Jassim Al Thani and expressed the Chamber’s thank to the ICSS, the US Chamber and the McCain Institute for hosting a very vital event that sought mechanisms of protecting and securing sports worldwide.

He affirmed the Chamber’s commitment to supporting events adopted by the ICSS which made great efforts since its establishment 9 years ago, as well as praising the session’s contents, noting they touched key issues in the field of securing sports.

Mohammed Hanzab, ICSS Chairman concluded:

“At a time where much of the focus is on the financial growth and commercialisation of sport, Securing Sport 2018 has provided an important and unique platform for leaders and top international experts to come together to identify real solutions to protect and safeguard sport.

“On behalf of the ICSS, I would like to extend my deepest thanks to the U.S. Chamber and the McCain Institute for co-hosting Securing Sport 2018 and to our friends and partners at the Qatar Chamber for their support of the ICSS and Save the Dream and helping to bring together some of the world’s top executives and businessmen together for this forum.”

For more info about the ICSS and its various products and services in sport safety, security and integrity, please contact info@theicss.org.

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