England: "Match-fixing is a real threat to the integrity of sport" (Maria Miller)

The establishment of a nationwide telephone line to anonymously report match-fixing, making match-fixing a criminal offence, and educating players to make them more aware of the “best practice”, these were the topics discussed at the emergency meeting convened by Maria Miller, the British Secretary of State for Culture and Sport. In attendance were representatives of the authorities of football, tennis, cricket, rugby, the British Gambling Commission and the British Horseracing Authority, on the 10/12/2013 in London.

The meeting was organised after the revelation of two match-fixing scandals. Six people suspected of rigging the results of Championship (English second division) matches were arrested on the 08/12/2013. Six others were arrested in England by the NCA (National Crime Agency) as part of an investigation into a system of fixed betting in Asia in the English lower divisions, on the 29/11/2013.

"British sport is a world-class product and we want it to stay that way. The NCA have shown that they will act and charge those that corrupt sport and the message is clear to players…