Senior sport officials give their view on the need for a World Anti-Corruption Agency

Following an open letter to the Olympic Committee calling for actions against corruption in sport, Play the Game has asked several Senior officials in the Olympic world: Is there a need for a World Anti-Corruption Agency (WACA)?

„We do not need an Anti-Corruption-Agency”, says Joseph Blatter, IOC member in Switzerland and President of the International Football Federation (FIFA). “Sport organizations should and can control themselves.”

If a control and monitoring body for sport would be established, Mr Blatter would step back. “Personally I would retrieve to my réduit in the mountains!”

“If we and our society would be monitoring sport, then we would have to consider to control the whole society: industry, trade, politicians, everything and everybody – including the media.”

Ching-Kuo Wu from Taiwan, President of the International Boxing Association (AIBA) is not totally against a WACA. It is a considerable idea, signalizes Mr Wu, who has an impressive record in fighting against all forms of corruption within his own federation. Although Wu favors other solutions.

“We are absolutely against any form of corruption”, says Mr Wu. “But each international federation should consider to set up their own measures and their organism to prevent any form of corruption.”

“When it comes to corruption we have a zero tolerance principle in the IOC”, says Gerhard Heiberg, IOC member in Norway, member of the IOC Executive Committee and head of the marketing commission. “I don’t see at this stage a necessity for an own setup concerning corruption. I do think the Ethics Commission takes good care of this in the IOC”, argues Mr Heiberg. “We try to follow up with our Ethics Commission, they are doing, in my opinion, a great job.”

To the question whether the Ethics Commission has handled the ISL/ISMM bribery scandal appropriate, Gerhard Heiberg replied: “Yes, I think so. We are looking in every field where we think that there could be any corruption. So far we have things under control.” 

“I don’t know if we really need a new agency for the fight against corruption”, says Gianfranco Kasper, IOC member in Switzerland and President of the International Skiing Federation (FIS).

“Is it really the right idea to establish such a body? Is it not a task for ministers of justice?” The FIS President questions the juridical holds for a Anti-Corruption-Agency. There are too many legal problems, says Mr Kasper. Though he pointed out: “But I do think we need confidential contact points for whistleblowers.” 

Click here to see the open letter to the International Olympic Committee calling for action against all forms of corruption in sport.

Senior sport officials give their view on the need for a World Anti-Corruption Agency, Part 2

Senior sport officials give their view on the need for a World Anti-Corruption Agency, Part 3

Senior sport officials giver their view on the need for a World Anti-Corruption Angecy, Part 4