Sport ‘needs unified anti-corruption body’
WORLD sports chiefs have been urged to establish a global anti-corruption agency with a mandate to target everything from doping to match-fixing.
David Howman, director general of anti-drugs body WADA, believes the same criminals are often behind doping and fixing, meaning an integrated, international detective agency would be the most effective solution.
“The key issue is that the criminal underworld is engaged in clear and serious efforts to corrupt the sporting world,” said Howman. “It needs governments, sports organisations and the legitimate gambling industry to unite together to save sport. If we do not, we face a very rocky future.”
The call comes just weeks after three Pakistan cricketers, including former Test captain Salman Butt, were handed bans of up to 20 years after being found guilty of spot-fixing during last year’s tour of England.