Navigating fair play in sport by embracing integrity and ethics
Date Issued
December 1, 2023
Author(s)
Abstract
Sport is a fundamental pillar of civil society. A large proportion of the world’s population
enjoys participating in sport. It is worth acknowledging that sport has strong educational and
formation values as it contributes to teamwork, advancing one’s leadership skills, healthy
living, friendship, solidarity and many more.
In addition to the positive contributions to society and individuals who participate in sport there
are strong economic benefits. Researchers have stated that sport on average contributes 2.5-
3.5% to the GDP of a country while the sports’ industry has been estimated to be worth $US1.3
trillion. At the same time, it is estimated that in 2023 the annual worldwide gross gambling in
sport yield will be higher than $400 billion reached in 2015, while match-fixers hauled in
profits about $177million in 2021.
Thus, sports have not only multifaced contributions to the wellbeing of individuals and society
but have a direct impact on the economy of a country. Therefore, it is in the vested interest of
society, politicians, educators, researchers and businesses to ensure the sustainability of sport
and the wellness of the stakeholders.
It has been advocated that sports have reached the fifth evolutionary trend that of
Criminalization. Recent statistics from SportRadar, FIFA and others do highlight the hot potato
for the 21st century by discussing match fixing and the gambling market. They have discussed
that not only first league teams are affected but players themselves may be addicted to gambling
thus they too may be involved in match fixing. Thus, the issue of unethical and illegal behaviour
is having bigger repercussions and affects younger players or even potential players not to
mention the entire sports’ industry.
The author of the current paper discusses the findings of a study carried out in Cyprus of
football players, team management, referees and offers policy implications on how to best
address match-fixing, gambling and other corruption or illegal behaviour through the
implementation of a holistic prevention model. Ethics and Integrity are an integral part of the
model in an effort to not only address the issue in the short time but to also ensure the next
generation of stakeholders have moral fibre and moral character to implement ‘fair play’.
enjoys participating in sport. It is worth acknowledging that sport has strong educational and
formation values as it contributes to teamwork, advancing one’s leadership skills, healthy
living, friendship, solidarity and many more.
In addition to the positive contributions to society and individuals who participate in sport there
are strong economic benefits. Researchers have stated that sport on average contributes 2.5-
3.5% to the GDP of a country while the sports’ industry has been estimated to be worth $US1.3
trillion. At the same time, it is estimated that in 2023 the annual worldwide gross gambling in
sport yield will be higher than $400 billion reached in 2015, while match-fixers hauled in
profits about $177million in 2021.
Thus, sports have not only multifaced contributions to the wellbeing of individuals and society
but have a direct impact on the economy of a country. Therefore, it is in the vested interest of
society, politicians, educators, researchers and businesses to ensure the sustainability of sport
and the wellness of the stakeholders.
It has been advocated that sports have reached the fifth evolutionary trend that of
Criminalization. Recent statistics from SportRadar, FIFA and others do highlight the hot potato
for the 21st century by discussing match fixing and the gambling market. They have discussed
that not only first league teams are affected but players themselves may be addicted to gambling
thus they too may be involved in match fixing. Thus, the issue of unethical and illegal behaviour
is having bigger repercussions and affects younger players or even potential players not to
mention the entire sports’ industry.
The author of the current paper discusses the findings of a study carried out in Cyprus of
football players, team management, referees and offers policy implications on how to best
address match-fixing, gambling and other corruption or illegal behaviour through the
implementation of a holistic prevention model. Ethics and Integrity are an integral part of the
model in an effort to not only address the issue in the short time but to also ensure the next
generation of stakeholders have moral fibre and moral character to implement ‘fair play’.
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