On Tuesday, November 24, the Council of Europe hosted an informative leadership dialogue highlighting the role and importance of the Macolin Convention against the manipulation of sports competitions.

The online event involved representatives from governments, sports organisations and international institutions in a debate moderated by the Council of Europe Director-General of Democracy, Ms Snezana Samardzic-Markovic, and preceded the first meeting of the Committee that will monitor the Convention’s implementation.

Following the opening speech by the Council of Europe’s Deputy Secretary General Ms Gabriela Battaini-Dragoni, several speakers from various backgrounds were given the floor to present their views on the topic in greater detail.



These speakers included Mr Lefteris Avgenakis, Greek Minister of Sport; Mr Roland Buchel, Member of The Parliamentary Assembly of The Council of Europe; Mr Nuno Gomes, former Portugal men’s football team player; Ms Ilana De Wild, Director of Organized and Emerging Crime at Interpol, Ms Paquerette Girard Zappelli, the IOC’s Chief Ethics and Compliance Officer; and Mr Oliver Jaberg, FIFA Deputy Chief Legal & Compliance Officer and Director of Integrity & Anti-Doping.

The speakers spoke of the need to facilitate effective cooperation in clamping down on matchfixing and corruption in sport, encouraging people to come forward and report such activities while also addressing the matters of support, education and prevention.



All speakers spoke of their respective organisations’ commitment to continue in their efforts to act together and support international cooperation to ensure such activities in global sport are eradicated.

For more information about the Council of Europe and their work, please visit www.coe.int.