By Emanuel Macedo de Medeiros
Global CEO, SIGA
Corruption is not just a threat — it is a corrosive force that undermines the very foundations of society. In Sport, it jeopardizes trust, integrity, and the core values that inspire billions around the globe. As we observe International Anti-Corruption Day and SIGA’s Anti-Corruption Week, the call to action is clearer than ever: we must unite to protect Sport from the increasing threat of corruption and criminal infiltration.
Earlier this year, on 13 June, the SIGA FITS Forum, hosted by Winston and Strawn LLP, in New York, witnessed a historical moment: for the first time, 80 global leading experts, representing some of the most influential public and private entities in the field of Anti-Corruption aligned their visions to produce the New York Declaration on Financial Integrity and Transparency in Sport. Since then, like-minded individuals and an increasing number of organizations have been adding their signatures to the document. By doing it, those champions of Integrity in Sport are showcasing their commitment to walking the talk, and telling the world it is time for more action, and less conversation!
The New York Declaration is a landmark document that sets forth an ambitious yet essential agenda for reform. It affirms that financial integrity is the bedrock of Good Governance in Sport and is absolutely indispensable to its credibility. It identifies the most vulnerable areas and systemic weaknesses that facilitate corruption, money laundering, tax evasion, and the increasing involvement of transnational organized crime. It then lays out practical solutions that require global collaboration, including:
- Implementation of SIGA’s Universal Standards on Sport Integrity
- Creation of a Global Clearing House to ensure transparency and oversight of financial transactions in sport.
- Establishment of a Sport Integrity Fund funded by revenues from broadcasting rights, sponsorship deals, and sports betting.
- Stricter Oversight of Major Sporting Events to promote transparency and accountability in hosting rights and sponsorship agreements.
Despite progress in recent years, it is widely recognized that Sport continues to grapple with significant challenges, including weak governance, inadequate regulations, a lack of targeted, results-driven collaboration, and insufficient independent scrutiny and oversight. These deficiencies create a permissive environment that enables corruption, money laundering, tax evasion, and the growing menace of transnational organized crime. The urgency for a robust, modernized, and effective global regulatory framework, coupled with inclusive, coordinated, action-oriented and result-driven cooperation, at both national and international levels, has never been greater.
We must remind ourselves that organized crime doesn’t play by the book, doesn’t take days off, and doesn’t have any scruples. Corruption is a global threat that requires immediate and coordinated action. A stark reminder of this came in 2015, when a major investigation exposed decades of systemic corruption within FIFA, involving bribery and fraud. This scandal not only tarnished the reputation of one of the most influential organizations in Sport but also highlighted the profound risks posed by a lack of transparency and accountability. While reforms have since been implemented, the case remains a cautionary tale of how corruption can infiltrate even the most iconic institutions. It reinforces the urgent need for governments, federations, leagues, clubs, sponsors, media rights holders, and fans to raise their voices, demand change, and take decisive action.
As SIGA, we issue an open invitation for all like-minded individuals and organizations to join this movement. By co-signing the New York Declaration, you and your organization take a definitive stand for Sport Integrity. It is not just about words; it is about meaningful actions that drive tangible change. Together, we can create a culture where transparency and accountability are non-negotiable.
This week, as we observe SIGA’s Anti-Corruption Week, let us reflect on the role we all play in shaping the future of sport. Visit SIGA’s website, sign the New York Declaration, and encourage others to do the same. Share it widely, let your voice be heard, and demand the change that Sport so much needs.
The time for action is now. If not now, when? If not us, who?
Only together we can ensure that Sport remains a space of virtue, free from corruption, money laundering, tax evasions and criminal influence — a beacon of hope and inspiration for generations to come. We count on you. You know you can count on SIGA!
Click to read and sign the New York Declaration
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This article was published in three languages, by three SIGA Media Partners
- English – TwentyTwo13, Malaysia
- Portuguese – A Bola, Portugal
- Spanish – Diario AS, Spain
ABOUT SIGA
SIGA is the world’s leading organisation for Sport Integrity. We are creating a whole new landscape for the sports industry by delivering independent global rating and certification for world Sport to ensure it is governed and operates under the highest integrity standards: The SIGA Universal Standards.
Funded by our Members, SIGA is a non for profit global independent organisation with one aim: To ensure the sport industry is governed under the highest integrity standards so that the values of sport are protected.
SIGA is the only organisation to bring together sport, governments, academia, international organisations, sponsors, business, rights holders, NGOs and professional services companies, from every region in the world, around a common cause of fostering greater integrity throughout sport.
SIGA is headquartered in Geneva, Switzerland, as a non for-profit association, and comprises of the following continental subsidiaries: SIGA AMERICA, SIGA EUROPE and SIGA LATIN AMERICA.
For more information on SIGA, including its vision, mission and reform agenda, please refer to the website: www.siga-sport.com and FAQs.
To contact SIGA, please email: [email protected].
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