SIGA and the United Nations Interregional Crime and Justice Research Institute (“UNICRI”) have entered into a 5-year Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) to prevent corruption and other crimes in Sport. This is the first of a set of thirty boosting measures and initiatives announced by SIGA yesterday as part of the Alliance’s new global campaign #SIGASTRIVES.

Integrated in SIGA’s #CleanSport initiative, launched last month at the inaugural World Congress on Global Leadership and Anti-Corruption in Sport, this long-standing agreement identifies areas of common concern and a number of initiatives that both institutions intend to carry out in a framework of mutual support and institutional recognition. The areas of cooperation include: the role of law enforcement and the criminal justice system in preventing and countering corruption and promoting the integrity of sport; the engagement of the private sector and civil society, including sponsors and sporting organisations in countering corruption and promoting the integrity of sport; child protection in sport; and research, training and education initiatives on the above areas.

The #Cleansport initiative is a key component of a wider strategy led by SIGA, dedicated to anticorruption in the sporting industry which SIGA is leading. The initiative is underpinned in coordinated action against crime by fostering collective action between sports organisations, law enforcement, governments and the judiciary. SIGA will soon announce a series of “Action Forces” composed of experts in the field of crime prevention and criminal justice, including representatives from UNICRI.

 

Commenting on the significance of this agreement, Emanuel Macedo de Medeiros, CEO of SIGA and Chairman and CEO of SIGA AMERICA, stated: “The world is facing two decisive battles: to defeat COVID-19 and ensure that global and local economies, and all vital sectors, remain operational. Sport – Clean Sport – is one of them, and we all must render our contribution to that huge collective effort. This is one of many reasons why this partnership is so important. We look forward to working with UNICRI to safeguard sport from corruption and criminal infiltration, and welcome their engagement in SIGA’s #CleanSport initiative and related Action Groups.”

Bettina Tucci Bartsiotas, Director of the United Nations Interregional Crime and Justice Research Institute (UNICRI), stated: “UNICRI has a reputation of being successful in pioneering new ways to address crime prevention, justice and development related issues, and engaging partners and communities in these important areas. I commend SIGA for taking the lead and carrying out an oversight role with their Universal Standards and new independent rating system and we look forward to working with them to prevent crime in sport.”

Click here to download the MoU. SIGA STRIVES Measure 2 will be announced tomorrow, 20th March 2020. Stay tuned.