FIFA issues updated version of Integrity Guide.. What’s new?

FIFA has released the second updated edition of its Integrity Guide, which aims to help national associations and all stakeholders support and strengthen their integrity initiatives.

The issuance of this guide, as announced by FIFA on its official website, embodies the first of the International Federation’s strategic objectives for the period between 2023 and 2027, which stipulates that FIFA must work to prevent corruption, doping and match-fixing, which could jeopardize the integrity of matches, tournaments, players, officials and national federations, or may increase the level of abuse in football.

The new guide is entitled “Protecting the Integrity of Football” and represents the outcome of FIFA’s ongoing efforts to promote integrity both internally and to the public.

This guide was prepared by the FIFA Integrity Working Group, which provided a detailed analysis of how to begin dealing with the issue of integrity, the aspects required in this framework, and what must be done. The guide provides guidance on topics such as appointing an integrity officer, launching methodologies for reporting integrity concerns, how to develop a relevant education program and media strategy, and explains how and when to conduct an investigation and organize disciplinary hearings.

This edition differs from its predecessor in its focus on developing an integrity action plan with content on relevant educational initiatives at the local level, in addition to a new section related to adjudicating integrity violations, with a detailed explanation of the process to ensure appropriate legal decisions are made in disciplinary proceedings. It also includes a review New cases.