The International Betting Integrity Association (IBIA) and the Professional Footballers’ Association (PFA) of Canada have completed an education program against match-fixing. This is the second edition of the project, which this time involved nearly 200 players and staff from all eight clubs in the Canadian Premier League (CPL).
Called “Protecting the Integrity of the Game,” IBIA’s player education program follows a structure based on three fundamental pillars: Rules, Responsibility, and Reporting. Known as the 3Rs, these pillars provide essential information that every athlete should know about match-fixing related to sports betting.
The main objective of the training is to equip athletes and coaches with the knowledge necessary to identify, avoid, and report risks to the integrity of the game related to betting.
In partnership with PFA Canada, IBIA’s focus on in-person training creates an opportunity to share and discuss experiences about the process.
In addition to emphasizing to athletes the importance of understanding, identifying, and reporting potential cases of match-fixing, this addresses both the financial aspects and the protection of their sports careers.
How football professionals understand the training process.
Marco Carducci, president of PFA Canada and captain of Cavalry FC, commented on the training: “With the growth of sports betting across Canada, this training contributed to PFA Canada’s goal of supporting athletes and keeping integrity and fairness at the heart of our sport.”
Khalid Ali, CEO of IBIA, added to the topic: “Preventing match-fixing in sports betting starts with educating athletes and coaches. Through collaborative campaigns, industry-funded initiatives, and exclusive in-person training, IBIA is setting the global standard for athlete education on integrity in betting, in line with our Mission 2030 strategy.”
“Beyond regulation and monitoring, it is crucial that player education is at the heart of a developing Canadian sports betting integrity ecosystem. We are pleased to see this program generating real impact. Everyone benefits when sport is clean,” he concluded.
Rules and sanctions highlighted in the IBIA program.
The goal is to present the potential threats of match-fixing in sports betting. Therefore, the program made a point of highlighting the rules and penalties for players.
Furthermore, the scope and accuracy of monitoring sports integrity through the use of technology are demonstrated, along with how to report criminals and corrupt individuals using the Red Button app.
Callum Irving, captain of Vancouver FC, also spoke out. “The IBIA sports integrity training was extremely informative for our players, providing essential information on the rules of sports betting, the consequences of involvement, and ways to report any illegal activity.
“Resources like IBIA are fundamental to protecting our sport and our locker rooms from match-fixing related to sports betting,” he said.
Results of the partnership between IBIA and PFA Canada
This initiative is aimed at Canadian athletes and sports organizations. Therefore, it offers the option of accessing free, in-person education on integrity, helping to protect Canadian sport against match-fixing and corruption.
According to Jean-Francois Reymond, IBIA Education Ambassador, the partnership is ideal for local sport. “PFA Canada is the ideal partner and we are very pleased that our collaboration will continue into 2026. As representatives of the players and with the mission of protecting them, they have managed to create the atmosphere of trust and openness necessary to discuss what can be a sensitive topic for many professional athletes.”
“We hope to forge partnerships with other sports organizations, while helping to safeguard the integrity of Canadian sport and the careers of Canadian athletes,” he concluded.
