The former head of Security of the 2006 FIFA World Cup Germany, 2011 FIFA Womens´ World Cup Germany and the German Football Association (DFB) has already been in the position as UEFA Security Officer since 2007 at UEFA Europa League and Champions League matches as well as for the UEFA EURO Championship.

This is another good example of how to use resources and transfer knowledge between event organisers and the ICSS for the benefit of professional organisation of such high level events.

Helmut Spahn, the Executive Director of the ICSS said: “I feel honoured that UEFA counts on my expertise and experience and thankful to the ICSS President Mohammed Hanzab to support my contribution to the most prestigious single annual football event worldwide. As a German, it is a very special occasion to get involved in a Final with two German teams”.

Speaking at the opening of his new facility based in Turin, Alessandro Del Piero, Captain of the Save the Dream Athletes team, announced that this will host the Office of the Save the Dream programme and will play an important role in the facility.

The new multifunctional venue in the city of Turin was established with the aim of inspiring young people and encouraging future generations to take up sport. Alongside the new Save the Dream Office, the four-floor facility will also host a range of sport and cultural exhibitions, meetings and conferences linked to Del Piero’s role directly, as a sportsperson, and indirectly, as an ambassador.

Speaking at the launch event in Turin, Alessandro Del Piero said: “The decision to create this centre stems from my desire to pass on everything that I have learnt from sport to young people around the world. I thought that art and music could be a very powerful tool to view sport through different eyes and enhance passion for it. It is the same approach I have applied to Save the Dream and my support of ADISCO, the Italian Cord Blood Donors Association. This is my way of keeping dreams alive”.

As Captain of the Save the Dream Athletes team, Alessandro Del Piero will lead an initial group of 11 athletes from different sporting backgrounds and regions of the world, which will contribute to the creation of a new educational campaign to promote sports core values and sporting integrity amongst young people and aspiring athletes.

H.E. Sheikh Saoud Bin Abdulrahman Al-Thani, QOC Secretary General and Chairman of the High-Level Panel of Save the Dream, said: “QOC plays a significant role in Save the Dream, since we believe in a collective responsibility to protect sport values and strive to uphold these values, beyond borders. We have asked Alessandro to be the captain of the international team of athletes of Save the Dream, we trust his professional and personal qualities”.

H.E. Sh. Nasser Bin Hamad Al-Thani, Chief New Business Officer at Ooredoo, said: “As a proud Qatari company, Ooredoo is pleased to be the technology partner for Save the Dream, as part of our wider efforts to promote international dialogue across communities through sport and cultural exchange. We believe that communications companies have a key role to play in promoting education and healthy lifestyles through sport and the effective use of new technologies, and our work with Save the Dream will help us to enrich the lives of people around the world”.

Mohammed Hanzab, President of the ICSS concluded: “We applaud the decision of Alessandro Del Piero to start his centre in Turin and we share his vision that sport and the arts, combined, can achieve significant results in keeping the dreams of future generations alive. I am delighted that this facility will be hosting the first office of the ICSS overseas”

To view photos from the Opening go to: http://www.theicss.org/multimedia/photo-gallery/opening-of-the-first-save-the-dream-office/

The organisations will work together to share knowledge and best practice in the fight against match-fixing and betting fraud.   This will include the exchange of information, advice and expertise on matters of sport integrity and the prevention of sports betting fraud, the involvement of each others experts as speakers at conferences and workshops, collaboration on research projects related to betting fraud and the distribution of research papers in key journals and publications.

Mohammed Hanzab (President, ICSS) said; “The ICSS recognises the significance and importance of protecting, promoting and maintaining the integrity of sport gambling.  This agreement will see our team of world-leading experts work with European Lotteries to share information and techniques aimed at addressing the critical and evolving threat of matching fixing and betting fraud across Europe. With the European Lotteries, the ICSS can rely on the credibility of another highly respected partner in it´s network of international organisations”.

Friedrich Stickler (President, European Lotteries) said; “ EL is the only association of betting operators to argue that match-fixing is probably the greatest threat to the integrity of sport. Together with the ICSS we are setting concrete actions and commitments to fight match-fixing and fraud. With this collaboration we want to strengthen each others responses and initiatives. As the historic partner of sport in the EU Member States, we are actually the strongest defenders of the integrity of sport and daily contribute to important initiatives like the one from ICSS”.

European Lotteries President, Friedrich Stickler and Mohammed Hanzab

Vienna, Austria, 16th May 2013; Leading figures in sport from around the world gathered in Vienna today for the start of the 2013 ICSS Security Expert Summit, staged by the International Centre for Sport Security (ICSS), with the support of the Ministry of Interior of the Republic of Austria.

The event, taking place at Bundesministerium für Inneres on the 16th – 17th May 2013, will see sport security experts – including organising committees, government bodies, event and stadia owners, football clubs, security practitioners and academics – explore issues and challenges in sport security, safety and integrity.

Mohammed Hanzab (President, ICSS) said; “As recent events have shown, the challenges facing sporting event organisers are real, diverse and evolving. With many of the world’s leading security experts attending, the 2013 Security Summit will feature open and honest discussion, advance thinking and provide opportunity for leading international practitioners to develop tangible solutions in sport security. As part of our commitment to sharing knowledge and best practice, we will be combining the results and recommendations in a report to share with experts around the globe.”

Sebastian Kurz (State Secretary for Integration, Federal Ministry of Interior, Austria) and Mohammed Hanzab

Sebastian Kurz (State Secretary for Integration, Federal Ministry of Interior, Austria) said; “Major sporting events such as the UEFA EURO 2008 or the annual Vienna City Marathon pose a challenge to many stakeholders when it comes to ensuring the security of participants and visitors. However, these major sporting events are also joyous encounters of intercultural exchange. Through organising such events, integration of best practice must become visible and palpable. With events of this kind, security must take top priority.”

Helmut Spahn (Executive Director, ICSS) said; “Every sporting event is different and has its own unique set of security challenges. At the 2013 ICSS Security Expert Summit, we will explore a range of issues and challenges currently facing major event organisers in sport, including live sites, crowd management and stadia design, as well developing real solutions and frameworks, like the ICSS’s Security, Safety, Integrity (SSI) model, that can be applied to events in the future.”

Helmut Spahn, Sebastian Kurz (State Secretary for Integration, Federal Ministry of Interior, Austria), Mohammed Hanzab and Heinz Palme

The discussions are being conducted under Chatham House rules to enable attendees to meet and exchange views in an atmosphere of trust and confidentiality. The sessions will feature the following key topics:

• Safety & Security Considerations for Stadia and Infrastructure Design
• A Model for Security & Safety Planning for Major International Sporting Events (MISE)
• Best Practices for Fan Management
• The Role of Sport Security and Integrity in Economic Development
• Defining Critical Challenges in Securing Live Sites

Speaking on his attendance at the Summit, Horst Schmidt (Former General Secretary, German Football Association (DFB) and Deputy President of LOC Germany for the 2006 FIFA World CupTM), said; “The 2013 ICSS Security Expert Summit provides an invaluable opportunity for security practitioners to come together and discuss emerging topics currently facing organising committees around the world. This year’s Summit will bring together a distinctive blend of expertise that I am sure will contribute to a lively debate around some critical issues currently facing the industry. I congratulate the ICSS for putting together this unique and thought-leading forum which I am sure will provide delegates and major event organisers around the world with real learnings and solutions to key issues in the world of sport.”

Speaking at the European Professional Football Leagues (EPFL) 2nd Seminar on Good Financial Governance, Chris Eaton, Director of Sport Integrity (ICSS) said sport bodies and betting organisations must cooperate to develop a multinational and multiagency approach to the monitoring of international betting in sport if they are to keep pace with emerging trends in organised crime.

Chris said: “At an international level, fast and flexible preventative mechanisms must be integrated into international statutes, policy and regulations to keep pace with the criminals of today. The explosion of new innovations in betting and gaming through social media and the impact of live and in-play betting have created the ‘perfect storm’ for criminal organisations targeting sport.

“Unless sport bodies and betting organisations develop a multinational and multiagency approach, some organisations will not be able to keep pace with criminal activity in the future.”

Chris added that such an approach must be neutral and independent and protect sport through the use of discrete and confidential alerts, advice and strategic leadership.

Citing one example of how this approach is currently applied within sport, Chris Eaton, said: “Horse Racing, through its historical relationship with betting, has developed a number of features that are worth considering for sports, like football, which intentionally or not, are also becoming integrated with betting.

“Features worth considering include Racing Stewards, professional experts who continuously monitor races and have the authority to immediately investigate suspicious behaviour and results, before, during and after a race has taken place. These Race Stewards, in cooperation with betting organisations, can also suspend betting payouts while a suspicious race is investigated, denying criminals their fraudulent winnings. Horse Racing Authorities also have the power to ban corruptors and criminals, whether they hold a position in racing or not, from any horse racing facility or related occupation.”

Chris Eaton concluded:

“No matter how powerful or protected within its own borders, European sports authorities cannot protect themselves from either criminals or unregulated and illegal betting outside of Europe, without a global compact or a global mechanism of some kind.”

Attending the conference alongside Chris, Helmut Spahn, Executive Director of the ICSS added: “Following the ICSS’s agreement with the EPFL, signed earlier this year at Securing Sport 2013, I would like to congratulate the EPFL for organising this unique and thought-leading event. This specialist forum will bring together leading figures in world football to discuss emerging topics surrounding the integrity, governance and financial structures currently being applied by clubs and associations around the world.

“It is important that football continues to remain vigilant and develop fast, flexible mechanisms and policies that safeguard sporting integrity to keep pace with new techniques being employed by today’s criminals. I look forward to working closely with the EPFL and other sporting organisations to developing these frameworks to create a safer future for all those involved in sport.”

• 10 April Director Sport Integrity Chris Eaton speaks about match-fixing at the 2^nd Sports Bites debate, BM Brussels
  

  Chris Eaton

• 10-11 April Director Business Development Heinz Palme attends Soccerex European Forum in Manchester
  

  Heinz Palme

• 14 April: Executive Director Helmut Spahn provides his feedback after two fans are shot dead in Brazil, at a World Cup stadium test event
  

  Helmut Spahn

• 16 April: Two explosions in Boston, kill three people and turn the world spotlight on security at major sporting events. Helmut Spahn (supported by Director Security & Risk Advisory, Malcolm Tarbitt) is called on by international media, for expert advice and opinion

• 23-24 April: ICSS delegation attends the Peace and Sport Dubai Forum

The two day conference brought together over 400 of the world’s leading sport security and integrity experts and stakeholders.

The second and final day of the conference included sessions examining:

• The Future of Sport Security and Technology with Juliette Kayyem, Lecturer in Public Policy at Harvard’s Kennedy School of Government
• Brazil + Russia in the Spotlight with Colonel Nelson Garcia, International VP, International Association of Chiefs of Police and Chief of the Intelligence Centre of the Military Police of Brasilia and Jorge Barbosa Pontes, Security International Relations Manager, Rio 2016 Olympic and Paralympic Games Organising Committee

Speaking on The Internationalisation of Betting – Keeping Ahead of the Curve, Andrew Cunningham, Global Head of Integrity, Betfair said: “There is a need for an international approach to combat match-fixing and betting fraud in sport. Effective investigations not only require real-time monitoring but close collaboration with multiple stakeholders and rapid feedback so that the problem can be dealt with quickly and efficiently.”

During the day’s proceedings the ICSS and European Professional Football Leagues (EPFL) signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) setting out an ongoing collaboration between the two organisations with the goal of advancing knowledge, sharing best practices, and cooperating to ensure safer sporting events in the future.

Protecting the next generation of international sports stars was also a key theme of this year’s conference, which included the awarding of the first Save the Dream Award at the Securing Sport 2013 Gala Dinner. Save the Dream is a joint international initiative to raise awareness amongst young athletes of the dangers of sports results manipulation and its consequences.

During the Integrity of the Young session, panelists examined the threats and pressures to the next generation of sports stars and how community and sport-driven programmes can help promote knowledge and best practice.

The panelist featured Guin Batten, former GB Olympic Silver Medalist in Rowing and Head of International Relations, Research and Innovation at the Youth Sport Trust, who was joined by Roberto Rosetti, Head of Refereeing Department, Russian Football Union, Gérard Houllier,  Head of Global Soccer, Red Bull,  and John Amaechi OBE, Managing Director, Amaechi Performance Systems.

Mohammed Hanzab, President of the ICSS, said in his closing remarks: “The ICSS annual conference has brought together the world’s leaders in sport security and integrity and is crucial that we continue in our ongoing efforts to share information and best practice in sport, safety, security and integrity.”

Signed during the second day of Securing Sport 2013, the MOU sets out an ongoing collaboration between the two organisations with the goal of advancing knowledge, sharing best practices, optimising security and integrity planning and cooperating to ensure safer sporting events in the future.

The key aspects of the agreement include:

• Security and Integrity Advisory – the ICSS will provide ongoing advisory services to the EPFL in relation to security and integrity infrastructure, planning and design.  The ICSS will also make available its capacity to conduct research projects and access to its wide network of leading security and integrity experts.
• Information and knowledge sharing in sport security and integrity – the ICSS and EPFL will jointly analyse ways to increase knowledge sharing.  The ICSS will share with the EPFL its Knowledge Portal of information regarding best practice procedures, and other valuable insights into mechanisms used to ensure optimal security and integrity infrastructure at major football events.

The MOU was signed by ICSS President Mohammed Hanzab, Sir Dave Richards, EPFL Chairman, ICSS Executive Director, Helmut Spahn and Emanuel Macedo de Medeiros, EPFL CEO.

Mohammed Hanzab, President of the ICSS, said: “The ICSS is committed to the advancement of knowledge and capabilities in sport safety, security and integrity, and is a hub for information-sharing and expertise across various aspects of sport security and integrity.   This MOU with the EPFL is an important step for the world of football which will help protect the integrity of the game and assist in the staging of safe sporting events.”

Emanuel Macedo de Medeiros, EPFL CEO said: “The challenges facing sport today are numerous and wide-ranging.   We must remain vigilant and active in our efforts to protect sport and its integrity.  Sharing knowledge and information is vital and this MOU with the ICSS will assist our efforts to remain ahead.”

Experts and stakeholders came together to share knowledge and best practice in sport, safety, security and integrity under the theme of “Advancing the security and integrity of sport to safeguard the future”.

The conference opened with a signing between the ICSS and the Qatar Football Association. Signed by ICSS President Mohammed Hanzab and His Excellency Sheikh Hamad bin Khalifa bin Ahmed Al Thani, QFA President, the agreement states that the ICSS and QFA will cooperate to advance leadership capacity-building in football in Qatar, as well as safety and security planning, capabilities and infrastructure.

A Letter of Understanding between The General Secretariat of the Organization of American States (OAS) Through The Secretariat for Multidimensional Security and the ICSS was also signed.

ICSS President, Mohammed Hanzab, then highlighted the achievements of the ICSS over the past 12 months, including the ISS-Sorbonne Programme, the cooperation with the World Bank and the launch of the ICSS Journal.  He reflected on the organisation’s rapid growth over the last two year’s and thanked all those working with the ICSS for helping to safeguard the future of sport. He said:

“This must start from an honest and collective reflection on the shadows affecting sport safety, security and integrity today and on its future challenges.  Who loves sport does not deny its problems, but we must work together to identify and enforce long-lasting solutions.”

Today’s proceedings included:

• A keynote speech by Wilfried Lemke, Special Adviser to the Secretary-General on Sport for Development and Peace at the United Nations on The Power of Sport to Erase Discrimination
• A panel session on Advancing the International Community to Safeguard the Future with H.E. Brigadier Dahlan Al-Hamad, Vice President, International Association of Athletics Federation and President, Qatar Athletics Federation and Denis Oswald, Judge at the Court of Arbitration for Sport and Chairman of the Coordination Commission for the London 2012 Olympic and Paralympic Games
  • Moya Dodd, Asian Football Confederation (AFC) Vice President and Director at the Football Federation Australia discussing the importance of security-related media planning for international events
  • An examination of whether sport federations are equipped to run their own match-fixing investigations with Emanuel Macedo de Medeiros, CEO, European Professional Football Leagues and John Abbott, Chairman, Integrity in Sport Initiative, INTERPOL.

Honey Thaljieh, Palestinian Women’s Football Player, said: “Sport is about fair play. Sport is for all and everybody has a right to play. Religion, background, race or gender should not matter. We need to change perceptions that women who play sport are tomboys. The women’s national football team in Palestine was a key factor in promoting the role of women in Palestine. If you give women a chance, and if governments and leaders a chance, then that will be ok.”

Mr Denis Oswald, IOC Member and President of ASOIF and FISA, said: “Sport is doing what it can but it needs the support of government and public organisations. International sporting bodies do not have the power for prosecution. Only a structured exchange of knowledge in this area and joint global effort will produce results.

He added: “One of the big issues is the problem of international regulation and legislation. Most countries were taken by surprise by internet betting and were not prepared. Legislation in this area is missing in many countries and where there is legislation, it is different from country to country. Organisations need to work together to try and unify legislation.”

The day concluded with the panel session Elite Sport at a Cost: Is Sport Protecting its Elite at the Expense of its Integrity? with Bill Bock, General Counsel, U.S Anti-Doping Agency, Sylvia Schenk, Senior Advisor for Sport, Transparency International and Richard Caborn, Former UK Minister for Sport.

Key sessions on the second and final day [19 March] of Securing Sport 2013 include:

• Triple Threat! The Future of Sport Security and Technology with Juliette Kayyem, Lecturer in Public Policy at Harvard’s Kennedy School of Government
• The Internationalisation of Betting – Keeping Ahead of the Curve with Andrew Cunningham, Global Head of Integrity, Betfair and Chris Eaton, Director of Sport Integrity, ICSS
• Brazil + Russia in the Spotlight with Colonel Nelson Garcia, International VP, International Association of Chiefs of Police and Chief of the Intelligence Centre of the Military Police of Brasilia, Jorge Barbosa Pontes, Security International Relations Manager, Rio 2016 Olympic and Paralympic Games Organising Committee and Sergey Pryadkin, President, Russian Premier League.

The ICSS-Paris 1 Pantheon-Sorbonne University Trophy for ‘outstanding achievement in promoting sport integrity’ was presented to Thomas Lund, Secretary General and Chief Operating Officer of the Badminton World Federation for their swift and resolute action in banning four Badminton doubles teams from the London 2012 Olympic and Paralympic Games for match fixing.

Speaking at a Gala Dinner hosted on Day one of Securing Sport 2013, Secretary General Thomas Lund said: “The BWF is honoured to receive the ICSS-Paris 1 Pantheon-Sorbonne University Trophy for outstanding achievement in terms of promotion of core integrity principles in our sport – badminton.

“No sport wishes to have its integrity and commitment to proper ethical behaviour tested. However, when such incidents arise, it’s essential to stand firm and take appropriate action. The BWF would have liked to avoid the Olympic disqualifications altogether but we are confident that, as the world governing organisation for badminton, we took the right decision given the circumstances.”

BWF President Dr. Kang Young Joong said: “The London 2012 case has definitely been a learning curve for the BWF and we are committed to doing what it takes to ensure this never happens again. Being recognised by the ICSS and the Paris 1 University Pantheon-Sorbonne today gives us further assurance that our sport upholds the right values.”

Mohammed Hanzab, President of the ICSS, said: “It gives me enormous pleasure to present the inaugural ICSS-Paris 1 Pantheon-Sorbonne University Trophy for ‘outstanding achievement in promoting sport integrity’ to the Badminton World Federation for showing us all at the Olympic Games last year that courageous decisions with immediate consequences are not only necessary but highly effective in dealing with integrity challenges.

The criteria for the trophy were:

• Demonstration of clear action in dealing with an integrity breach
• Speed and decisiveness of action taken
• Clear commitment to integrity
• Example to other sport federations
• Positive commitment to integrity demonstrated to fans
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