Asian Football Confederation extends Sportradar integrity partnership

The Asian Football Confederation (AFC) has announced the signing of a new agreement with Sportradar, with the partnership charged with tackling issues within the field of integrity.

Specifically addressing match fixing, the Sportradar intelligence and investigation services will be utilised by the AFC throughout the 2018 and 2019 season, tasked with investigating the people behind the fraud on the pitch in Asia.

Shaikh Salman bin Ebrahim Al Khalifa, AFC President, commented: “In the AFC Vision and Mission, the fight against match-fixing is imperative and remains ongoing.

“We at the AFC, take this threat extremely seriously and our actions during recent years demonstrate our zero-tolerance stance. But we also appreciate that times are changing, and technology is needed to combat this ever-growing threat. Sportradar’s technology and proven expertise will help us to target those corrupting our game.”

AFC General Counsel & Director of Legal Affairs, Benoit Pasquier, added: “Sportradar’s Intelligence & Investigation Services have played a crucial role in previous AFC cases and they provided firm support to the AFC Judicial Bodies.”

This follows news of an existing agreement between the AFC, FIFA and Sportradar, related to monitoring betting within the region.

As part of the existing deal all matches within the top two leagues and cups in the AFC member associations, in addition to in AFC competitions, are to see betting patterns monitored.

Sportradar now details that it holds partnership agreements with in excess of 70 associations, as well as having been involved in investigations leading to 214 sporting sanctions and 24 criminal convictions.

Carsten Koerl, Chief Executive of Sportradar, said: “We are delighted, honoured and proud that the AFC is taking such a determined step in the fight against match-fixing. Our Fraud Detection System has long been proven as a potent weapon against match manipulation. And now our Intelligence and Investigation products will give the AFC an added layer of protection.”