SBC News Sportradar enhances global sports integrity with UFDS launch

Sportradar enhances global sports integrity with UFDS launch

Sportradar Integrity Services has elevated its commitment to strengthening global sports integrity through the launch of its ‘Universal Fraud Detection System’ (UFDS), which will be offered free of charge to sports organisations worldwide.

The technically advanced monitoring network, which will be funded by Sportradar, has been designed to detect instances of match fixing and suspicious wagering activity across the globe.

Last year, the Fraud Detection System successfully monitored 600,000 matches across over 1,000 different international sports leagues and competitions in 26 sports.

“We believe that integrity is fundamental to public confidence in sport, and that wrongdoing at any tier of competition affects all levels of sports and its fans,” said Carsten Koerl, CEO of Sportradar Group.

“Today marks a very special day in the history of our company, as we announce the upcoming launch of our core bet monitoring system, at no financial charge to any sports federation or league that wants to use it. 

“By making this significant investment in integrity via the UFDS initiative, we are demonstrating our commitment to support the sustainability of sport around the globe.”

Due to be made available in October 2021, Sportradar has set out plans to speak ‘to sporting bodies so they can understand the service being offered, and will continue to upscale their technology and operation to deliver this ambitious undertaking’.

Koerl continued: “We are continuing to upscale our technology and operation to handle this considerable undertaking, and as well as providing it to new partners we have already set about discussing and implementing the UFDS with our 70+ existing FDS partners. 

“We are very excited to launch this exciting initiative and add to the proven track record of our integrity team, by ensuring the UFDS plays a major role in protecting the integrity of the sports we all love in the decades to come.” 

Over the past 15 years, Sportradar Integrity Services’ FDS has classified more than 5,300 matches as suspicious, having also supported more than 400 disciplinary sanctions and over 30 criminal convictions against those engaged in sports corruption.

Ahmed Alosaymi, Head of Integrity at the Asian Football Confederation, added: “We have worked with Sportradar since 2013, and their data-driven approach to utilising the latest technology, matched with the professional experience of their analysts, has allowed us to be at the forefront of ensuring integrity for football in Asia. 

“With more matches happening each season, coupled with the tremendous popularity of Asian Football, ensuring we have the right partner that delivers us results is key. The AFC has worked very closely with Sportradar to bring several cases to justice. 

“We believe that this move of the offering of UFDS will help protect the integrity of sports globally, giving leagues and federations at all levels the opportunity to safeguard their sport and competitions for all their stakeholders.”

Prior to the announcement of the UFDS launch, Sportradar initiated its Social Media Integrity Education Service, with the objective of providing sports stakeholders and athletes with tools to identify integrity risks from social media platforms.

Calling for continued collaboration between global stakeholders, the International Olympic Committee’s Olympic Movement Unit on the Prevention of the Manipulation of Competitions remarked: “The IOC’s OM Unit PMC welcomes this significant commitment by its longstanding partner Sportradar. 

“It continues to be important for all sporting organisations to understand the most sustainable way to protect sports from competition manipulation. Utilising this substantial investment by Sportradar with its proven and reliable bet monitoring of the global betting market can be the foundation for a holistic integrity programme. 

“Therefore, all sporting organisations are reminded once again, that an all-encompassing approach – as in the OM Unit PMC’s specific ’3 Pillar Strategy’ – is fundamental in order to achieve sustainable and long-term results.”

SBC News Sportradar enhances global sports integrity with UFDS launch

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