World Cup 2018 faces risk of match-fixing
Betting companies have contingency plans in place in case of any irregularities in betting patterns related to the 2018 World Cup matches taking place from June 14 to July 15.
Experts warn that the World Cup is not immune to the threat of match-fixing, despite sophisticated surveillance systems being set up to detect suspicious activity during the tournament in Russia.
Jake Marsh, head of integrity at digital media group Perform, which provides live sports video to bookmakers, said there was no room for complacency, even though the World Cup was a global football event.
Marsh said that factors such as national pride and the impression that players are well paid do not mean the World Cup will not be targeted.
According to AFP, at the Football Betting Conference held at Chelsea's Stamford Bridge on March 21, Marsh declared: "We have had World Cup qualifying matches that have been determined to have fixed results. So why are there teams that do not want to participate in the finals?
Consider a friendly match last year between two national teams, one of which could not pay its hotel bill but had a chance of making it to the World Cup finals.
Those are the weaknesses that can be exploited, even though they are all national teams. Therefore, it is absolutely right that FIFA has measures to monitor the 2018 World Cup."
World Cup arenas can be "delicious bait" for match-fixing ringsAFP |
Gilles Maillet, director of the Sports Integrity Unit of France's La Francaise des Jeux (FDJ), said it would be a mistake to think that match-fixers would always choose events with less scrutiny.
“One thing that is very clear and one thing that is worth thinking about is that most match-fixers focus on lower-level leagues because it is easier to fix and it doesn't cost as much money to those involved.
On the other hand, given the volume of transactions in large events, it can be difficult to detect fixing, as it can be hidden under huge stakes,” said Maillet.
According to AFP, betting companies have contingency plans in place in case of detecting irregularities in betting patterns related to the 2018 World Cup matches.
According to FDJ, this organization must continuously hold meetings with the tournament organizing committee to identify potential risks as it did at the 2018 Winter Olympics in Korea...
