By Sebastian Dieguez
Global Head of Public Affairs, The Chiliz Group (SIGA Member)
As sport continues to globalise – across borders, cultures and technologies – integrity, transparency and good governance have never mattered more. Fresh off the Sport Integrity Global Alliance’s (SIGA) first-ever Sport Integrity Action Month, Chiliz – the blockchain built for sports – has been actively engaging with partners and stakeholders worldwide on how technology can strengthen trust and accountability across sport ecosystems. This included recent discussions with policymakers, industry leaders and civil society across different regions, including at the annual Blockchain for Europe summit in Brussels, with two panel events: on the power and potential of blockchain to build communities and foster integrity, education, employability, inclusivity and sustainability at all levels throughout sports ecosystems. This aligns with core SIGA aims like boosting good governance and financial integrity, developing youth potential and ensuring environmental, social and economic sustainability.
Everyone who has chanted their team’s songs as one with a packed stadium; or shouted, at a pub, a neighbourhood bar, or a street screening, in agony or ecstasy at a match on TV; or queued for precious tickets; or strained to see, in city streets, rural roads or iconic circuits as racers zoomed by — indeed, anyone who has competed or cheered at any level — understands how integral sport is to society. Sport unites communities and promotes fairness and inclusion. It has been and must continue to be a vital, positive element of local as well as national identities.
Across the world, sport governance systems are increasingly expected to uphold core values such as transparency, accountability, solidarity and respect for human rights. In Europe, these principles are often articulated through what is known as the European Sport Model, which rests on the bedrock conviction that sport must not only entertain but also uphold shared values of democracy, transparency, solidarity and respect for human rights. Over the years, the European Union has promoted various initiatives on democratic values in sport, including through longstanding EU policy frameworks and international statements on transparency, democracy and human rights in sport.
In 2025, these governance questions rose higher on political agendas, including at government level in Europe, where policymakers have increasingly focused on democracy and transparency in sport. Notably, on 28 November 2025, sport ministers from EU Member States — in the context of the Education, Youth, Culture and Sport Council formation — met to exchange views on democracy and transparency in sport.
Across jurisdictions, policymakers, federations and stakeholders have raised common concerns, in particular, several key issues: transparency is still inadequate; many international sports organisations still face democratic deficits, such that important decisions are made without real buy-in from members, athletes or civil society; new breakaway leagues can undermine core governance values underpinning established sport ecosystems; and the relocation of competitions away from their traditional communities risks weakening traditional bonds between clubs, fans and communities. To address these concerns, EU Member States are calling for better governance of federations, clubs, and associations; for transparency in financial flows; and for open information-sharing. Progress can be made by working together, and with tools like better education and media literacy, and clear openness and accountability standards.
Chiliz wholeheartedly believes blockchain can help meet these challenges. Our Fan Tokens, for instance, in partnership with more than 70 major clubs, can strengthen transparency in decision-making and allow for more inclusive fan participation, giving supporters a meaningful voice in line with democratic principles, regardless of geography, language or level of access. Through our Chiliz Includ3d Accelerator programme, we have collaborated with initiatives using sport to promote education, health, employability, infrastructure development and youth engagement. And blockchain technology — in sport and all sectors — can help ensure the integrity of financial transactions with its ability to validate and protect digital IDs.
Chiliz is committed to transparency in sport across global sport ecosystems. SIGA has indeed created a global movement: designed to deliver more impact, engagement and participation than ever. This is why we are so excited to support SIGA in pursuing integrity and transparency across sport worldwide. As we conclude 2025 on a positive note and look ahead to exciting new projects in 2026, we are proud to #SideWithSIGA!
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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: comms@siga-sport.com.