The integrity of global football faces a crisis as the convergence of high-stakes betting, political interference, and commercial interests threatens the sport’s foundational rules. According to Alain Berset, Secretary General of the Council of Europe, the lack of binding international frameworks for the 2026 FIFA World Cup has created an environment where fraud is increasingly possible, necessitating an urgent transition to a “third half” of diplomatic regulation before the 2030 tournament.
The Structural Risks of Modern Sports Betting
Modern sports betting has evolved beyond simple match outcomes, now targeting granular, in-game events—such as specific passes or corner kicks—that do not alter the final score. Berset describes this shift as an “open door to fraud.” The integration of prediction markets directly into stadiums, a move sanctioned by FIFA, marks a departure from traditional sports governance.
Did you know?
The Council of Europe’s Convention on the Manipulation of Sports Competitions remains the only binding treaty against the rigging of games. It has been signed by 43 states to date.
Political Influence and the Erosion of Authority
The authority of international sporting bodies is challenged by direct political pressure. During the 2026 tournament, a sanction was suspended mid-event following a phone call between a head of state and the FIFA president. Berset highlights that when regulatory rules are circumvented under political duress, the legitimacy of every match result is effectively undermined.
This trend is compounded by the rise of public figures, including elected officials, engaging in behavior that violates sports ethics, such as the racist abuse of players. The absence of a transparent, binding integrity framework allows these incidents to occur without consistent or clear disciplinary consequences.
Historical Precedents for Binding Governance
The Council of Europe has historically stepped in when sports crises have outpaced existing regulations. Following the 1985 Heysel Stadium disaster, where 39 people died, the Council implemented a binding treaty within three months to standardize safety and security. That framework has since evolved into the Convention on an Integrated Safety, Security and Service Approach at Football Matches, currently signed by 39 states.
Similarly, the Council established the Anti-Doping Convention, which is now binding on 52 states. These examples demonstrate that when sport fails to self-regulate, international legal frameworks provide a path toward restoration of integrity.
Proactive Integrity for 2030
Berset’s proposal for a “third half”—a dedicated period of working dialogue—aims to establish an integrity framework long before the 2030 World Cup begins. This approach suggests that if FIFA does not proactively secure its operations, the Council of Europe’s 46 member states may be forced to intervene through the same legal mechanisms used during previous doping and match-fixing crises.
Frequently Asked Questions
- What is the “third half” proposal?
- Proposed by Alain Berset, it refers to an urgent, structured dialogue between international bodies and sports organizations to establish binding integrity rules before the 2030 World Cup.
- How does in-game betting threaten football?
- According to the Council of Europe, betting on specific, minor events within a match (like individual passes) creates new opportunities for fraud that are difficult to monitor and prevent.
- Has the Council of Europe regulated sports before?
- Yes. The Council has previously established binding conventions for stadium safety, anti-doping, and the prevention of match-fixing, all of which are currently active across dozens of member states.
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