Corruption in sport needs reclassifying as crime according to a lively Play the Game 2017 panel on prosecuting poor governance.

Opening address at the 10th international Play the Game conference, 26 November 2017 in Eindhoven, the Netherlands

For years, reporters have been fond of saying “FIFA mafia”, “Mobsters of Football”. It has made for good copy, sold lots of media space – but what words do we use now that there really is a trial that focuses on the widespread criminal activity inside FIFA?

Professional sports has proven an attractive scene for criminals and other shady figures with ambitions of tax evasion, money laundering, human exploitation, betting fraud, match-fixing and other forms of crime.

What does it mean that the U.S. Justice Department has been the instigator of unravelling what has been taking place in FIFA? In this comment piece, Christer Ahl looks at the pros and cons of the U.S. involvement.

Beware of the anti-match fixing industry, fixing expert Declan Hill told Play the Game 2015. Not everyone is working towards the same goal.

The second half of the opening session of Play the Game 2015 focused on FIFA reform and the ongoing criminal enquiry into corruption at the organisation.

Due to a ‘disloyal’ payment to Michel Platini, Sepp Blatter has become the focus in the Swiss investigation into FIFA corruption, placing both under scrutiny from several sides.