LaLiga calls on European institutions to ramp up efforts against manipulation of sports competitions

During the presentation of the 2016 Federbet report on match-fixing before the European Parliament in Brussels today, Tuesday, LaLiga set out the work which it has been performing in the fight against the problem in its own competitions. The European MP Elly Schlein and LaLiga's director of integrity and security, Alfredo Lorenzo, were present, as well as members of the European and the national press.

Lorenzo stated that in addition to preventing match-fixing, it is also essential to monitor the betting markets. Likewise, he highlighted the need for European legislators to tackle the scourge of the manipulation of professional sports competitions and to involve both sports organisations and bookmakers. The director of security and integrity reflected on the European regulations on the protection of personal data which, although they have their place, must be applied in a balanced manner so that they do not hinder investigations into match-fixing.

Lorenzo also stressed that LaLiga will continue working and implementing fresh actions. "Without clean play, there is no competition," concluded Alfredo Lorenzo. During the conference, Spanish football's Tercera Division was given as an example of a competition in which match-fixing can be found. Federbet also noted that the number of match-fixing cases is on the rise in youth and women's competitions.

LaLiga will continue to collaborate with the European institutions on all future initiatives proposed in relation to match-fixing and which influence Spanish professional football as well as the value of its brand.