UEFA takes decision on match-fixing

The Union of European Football Associations, UEFA, on Monday, alerted European clubs over match-fixing.

UEFA said it will reinforce the anti-match-fixing campaign in order to protect the integrity of its competitions by safeguarding the game's essential soul.

A statement from UEFA's official website read: "UEFA remains determined to combat match-fixing and protect the integrity of European football and its competitions - thereby safeguarding the game's essential soul.

"UEFA's commitment to fighting match-fixing, protecting the integrity of competitions and ensuring the trust of football fans and stakeholders was highlighted at the latest meeting of the UEFA working group on match-fixing in Istanbul held on the occasion of the UEFA Super Cup match.

"Participants discussed a framework for future steps to be taken on key integrity themes included in UEFA's overall strategy for the period until 2024, together for the Future of Football.

"UEFA has made integrity matters a core element of its mission, given that match-fixing and corruption, represent a serious threat to football's essential soul. "We can do nothing without a belief in and the reliability of our competitions," European football's governing body emphasised.

"Strategy steps: UEFA pledges the following steps as part of its strategy until 2024:

"- Develop existing and identify new means to protect the integrity of European football competitions.

"- Improve the ability to detect suspicious activity in relation to doping and match-fixing using advanced technology.

"- Increase the focus on the impact of potential conflicts of interest on match and competition integrity.

"- Through joint efforts with clubs, leagues and governing bodies, diligently persist in rooting out activities that undermine our competitions and harm our collective reputation.

"The meeting in Turkey brought UEFA together with delegates from national prosecutorial services and police representatives, as well as international police cooperation representatives from EUROPOL and INTERPOL," the statement added.