“The 2025 Safe Sport Forum is a significant milestone in protecting the integrity and values of sport against match manipulation. The main strategy to fight this global threat is information and awareness. In this regard, we are launching this new course to combat match-fixing,” said Sebastian Pereira, Executive Manager of Education and Promotion at the COB.
Available online on the IOB platform, the course lasts one hour and is free of charge for athletes, coaches, referees, managers, and other sports professionals.
The course is part of the Safe Sport program, which also includes other initiatives addressing key topics for a clean sporting environment, such as “Prevention and Response to Harassment and Abuse in Sport,” “Anti-Racist Sport: Everyone Wins,” “Ethical Conduct in Practice,” and “Balancing the Game: Gender Equality in Sport.” Upon completion, participants receive a certificate.
“By equipping athletes, coaches, referees, and all other sports professionals with knowledge, we transform them into the first line of defense to ensure a fair and inspiring sporting environment for future generations, aligned with Olympic values,” added Pereira.
The initiative highlights one of the greatest challenges facing sport today — a threat that arises behind the scenes but directly impacts both Brazilian and international sports. The course “Combating Match-Fixing: Together in Defense of Responsible Play” is now available and can be accessed through the IOB’s official website.
The program was officially announced during the 2nd Safe Sport Forum, which brought together a select group of authorities, managers, athletes, and experts to discuss an urgent topic: how to prevent and combat match-fixing in Brazilian sports.
“Match-fixing is a reality — it happens. Sports agents, whether athletes, referees, coaches, or members of technical committees, can be approached at any time. Having initiatives to help prevent this kind of behavior is essential,” said Rafael Silva, Olympic judo medalist and Vice President of the COB Athletes’ Commission.
“Both the Safe Sport Forum and this course are great initiatives to raise awareness. Learning, access to information, and understanding the consequences are the first steps to preventing any wrongdoing,” he emphasized.
Source: GMB
