UK Peers Told Match-Fixing Fight Needs Focus on Corruptors, Not Just Players

The UK House of Lords has held another session examining whether Britain should ratify the Macolin Convention, an international agreement aimed at tackling match-fixing in sport. The International Agreements Committee heard evidence on why joining the convention is seen as important to fighting a problem that crosses borders and affects multiple sports.

Karen Moorhouse, chief executive of the International Tennis Integrity Agency, told the committee about tennis players who have been found guilty of match-fixing offences. Her evidence, along with other testimony given to the panel, pointed to a broader argument that many players caught up in fixing scandals are themselves victims of pressure or exploitation, and that enforcement efforts should focus more heavily on prosecuting the corruptors behind the fixing rather than solely punishing the athletes involved.

The hearing is part of an ongoing UK process to weigh up formal ratification of the Macolin Convention, a treaty designed to help countries share information and coordinate action against betting-related corruption in sport.