LaLiga, present at third meeting of Sport Integrity Global Alliance (SIGA)

LaLiga participated in the Third Meeting of the Sport Integrity Global Alliance (SIGA), which was hosted by Spain's High Council for Sport (CSD) today, Thursday. More than 30 sporting organisations from all over the world took part in this event aimed at furthering the fight for integrity and fair play in sport, including Alfredo Lorenzo, LaLiga's director of security and integrity.

The meeting – which was chaired by Mohammed Hanzab, the president of the International Centre for Sport Security (ICSS) – saw all the attendees reaffirm their commitment to trying to find the right response to the challenges currently facing sport. The organisations in attendance also acknowledged sport's specificity, its special social, educational and cultural role – beyond political, geographical and religious boundaries – and its ability to unite people from across the planet through a collective spirit based on fair play, peace and mutual respect.

The representatives from the organisations present recognised the urgent need to undertake fundamental reform in sport in order to cement core concepts such as democracy, transparency, financial responsibility and integrity, and to advance and safeguard for the future the highest standards of good governance and financial integrity in relation to sports betting.

Furthermore, the organisations asserted that, above all, the reform in question must reflect a firm and completely credible commitment to preserving the integrity and essence of sport now and in the future, and to delivering the greatest possible benefits to society and the economy.

Declaration of Intent

Those in attendance at the meeting in Madrid vowed to continue working together to apply a series of key principles set out in a Declaration of Intent.

With respect to good governance in sport, the declaration champions respect for the principles of sports ethics, the law and the relevant regulations, with zero tolerance for all forms of corruption and bribery.

Where financial integrity is concerned, the attendees highlighted the importance of respect for international standards and control over the way sports development and solidarity funds are used, among other things.

#Sport is a foundation of positive values. We should stand 2gether & promote the highest standards of good governance & financial integrity

— The ICSS (@The_ICSS) April 7, 2016

As for sports betting, a mission was outlined to promote appropriate regulation of the market throughout the world, and to prevent and combat fraud and match-fixing, while the rights of organisers of sports competitions and the economic viability of sport were also recognised.

Proposals for the future include the creation of an independent monitoring platform equipped to issue intelligence alerts on corrupt practices, the manipulation of sports competitions and unlawful actions by criminal networks. This tool would foster cooperation and the exchange of information for any necessary disciplinary proceedings.

The Sport Integrity Global Alliance (SIGA) is intended as an independent, neutral coalition led by the sports industry and able to call on the support of the industry's main stakeholders, with a commitment to best practice, universal standards and creative global solutions to kick off a new era in the governance and integrity of sport.