ICSS Receives More Than 50 Allegations of Wrongdoing in Sport

Doha,June 24 (QNA) - The Sport Integrity Hotline, launched by The Sport Integrity Unit (SIU) of the International Centre for Sport Security (ICSS) to address the growing issues confronting the sport industry, has already received over 50 allegations of wrongdoing in sport, originating from 10 different regions and over 20 countries around the world. The Sport Integrity Hotline, launched in December 2017 by the ICSS' Sport Integrity Unit to help athletes, fans and those involved in the sports industry to report misconduct and sport integrity issues, in line with its mission to safeguard sport. The platform is managed by specialist ethics and case-management agency, WhistleBlower Security, who operate the hotline around the clock, fielding confidential reports via phone, email and online. Only the Sport Integrity Unit has access to the incoming reports and the management of cases. The Sport Integrity Unit (SIU), under its remit to investigate allegations of misconduct and integrity violations across several areas adversely affecting sport, has carried out a provisional analysis of all claims and any supporting evidence provided. A risk matrix has been applied and cases will be referred to law enforcement agencies, international sports organizations and national bodies as appropriate, while others are under active investigation by the SIU. As a next step, the Sport Integrity Unit will hold intelligence sharing meetings with international and national sporting partners as well as law enforcement agencies to commence investigational exchanges. While specific details of all active investigations are confidential, the ICSS is pleased that so many members of the international sporting community have felt empowered to report allegations of misconduct and integrity issues in sport through the hotline. This strong uptake of the service over the first six months shows faith in the ICSS's ability to effectively and confidentially manage sensitive and complex investigations and reflects the growing demand for independent investigations and intelligence services within the sports industry. (QNA)