Response by FIFA to the report from the Swiss Federal Council on fighting corruption and match-fixing

FIFA has noted the Swiss Federal Council’s report on fighting corruption and match-fixing in sport, and considers the special efforts made by the Federal Council to support sports associations and organisations in the fight against corruption and match-fixing through corresponding state measures as a positive sign for the protection of the integrity of sport and its environment.

The complexity of the problems inherent in fighting corruption and match-fixing calls for systematic self-regulation as well as state measures. FIFA recognises the need for action at state level and is pleased to note that the measures it has implemented as part of its reform process are mentioned in the report as a milestone*.

The same applies to the action taken by FIFA in the fight against match-fixing. The international nature of sport in particular calls for sports associations and organisations on the one hand and national and international bodies on the other to present a united front on this issue.

Given the incidence of private sector bribery, which has been the subject of much debate, FIFA considers it a positive step that this widespread problem is being approached both generally and with regard to NGOs.

FIFA has also taken note that, according to the report, “targeted intervention by Swiss lawmakers in areas such as tax or association law to enforce regulatory governance standards would not be helpful from either a political or a legal perspective.”

“I am delighted that the Federal Council has approved the relevant measures relating to the reform process,” said FIFA President Joseph S. Blatter. “This acknowledgement and the report by the Council of States Committee show that we are heading in the right direction and will motivate us further to see the process through to its conclusion at the 2013 FIFA Congress. Both FIFA and I remain fully committed to this reform process.”

“FIFA is convinced that by working with national and international bodies, we can win the battle against corruption and match-fixing,” he added.

*The report states: “The decision of FIFA’s Executive Committee on 17 July 2012 to appoint individuals of international standing as the chairmen of the investigatory chamber and the adjudicatory chamber of the new Ethics Committee represents a milestone in its history. In the context of these appointments, the Executive Committee made a further revision to the Code of Ethics (in force since 25 July 2012). The election of new members to the Ethics Committee and further amendments to the Statutes have been announced for 2013.” (Page 31)