The ‘red card for crime in sport – together against manipulation of sporting competitiveness’ project was launched on Friday 6 March in Strasbourg with a first meeting of partners and financial contributors held at the Council of Europe.
The project will run from 2018 to 2020. It is also known as KCOOS+ after a previous joint EU-Council of Europe project from January 2016 to June 2017 called 'Keep Crime Out of Sport' (KCOOS).
KCOOS+ is based on the work of KCOOS, with two exceptions – it will be financed by countries and international organisations (the predecessor was funded by the EU); and it will be universal, deploying seminars and advice across all five continents.
The idea is to promote at global level by 2019 the ratification of the convention on manipulation of sports events, known as the Macolin Convention, launched in September 2014 and signed by 30 Council of Europe member countries. It has only been ratified by Norway, Portugal or Ukraine although its entry into force requires at least five ratifications.
Malta, where many online betting companies are based, has so far refused to sign the convention, which is the only international law tool on the question. In November 2012, Malta acted alone to block an agreement by sports ministers on match-fixing using online betting.
Cyprus, France, Norway and Switzerland are the first Council of Europe countries to contribute to financing KCOOS+, which is also funded by the Global Lotteries Association and European Lotteries. Discussions are under way with other member countries and international bodies to extend the contributors and expertise. Over time, the aim is to set up a global set-up that will allow cooperation between national platforms in line with national priorities. (Original version in French by Véronique Leblanc)