ICSS establishes anti-corruption unit to back sports industry investigations

As part of its commitment to help safeguard sport and to meet the growing demand for independent investigations, the International Centre for Sport Security (ICSS) has announced the establishment of a dedicated Special Investigations Unit (SIU).

Led by international anti-corruption expert Michael Hershman, the Chief Executive of the ICSS Group and co-founder of Transparency International, the dedicated unit will offer confidential investigation services, specialised training and independent integrity advice to support governing bodies, law enforcement, athletes and other stakeholders across the sports industry regarding investigations into alleged misconduct and integrity violations in their sport.

As part of its portfolio of services, the SIU will provide support and training to investigate allegations across several areas adversely affecting sport in areas including:

• Administrative corruption and misconduct
• Fraud including match fixing, illegal betting and money laundering
• Athlete Welfare including sexual harassment and abuse
• Conflicts of Interest and Ethics’ cases
• Human trafficking in the sports industry

The SIU will use the ICSS’s international network of experts and be staffed by two ICSS Directors and experienced senior investigators, Fred Lord and Dale Sheehan, who possess a combined 60 years international experience in the anti-corruption and law enforcement sector, including senior management roles at Interpol’s Sport Integrity division as well as within the Australian police force and Royal Canadian Mounted Police.

The ICSS will also be able to draw on additional resources and expertise within the Group including ICSS Enterprise Chief Executive Dr. Shaun McCarthy, who served as an Intelligence and Counter-terrorism Officer with the South African National Intelligence Service, and Emanuel Macedo de Medeiros, ICSS Insight Chief Executive, who will be able to provide his legal expertise and knowledge from 30 years as a sports lawyer and as a former Chief Exectuive of the European Professional Football League.

Speaking of the establishment of the new ICSS Special Investigations Unit, Hershman explained “the establishment of a dedicated special investigations unit by the ICSS is another significant step forward in the evolution of the ICSS and aims to provide an important and independent investigations service for organisations and individuals across the sports industry.

“With many governing bodies and organisations across the sports movement continuing to adapt their integrity and safeguarding resources, it was vital that the ICSS builds on its existing portfolio of projects within the sport integrity marketplace and formalises the creation of a structured and dedicated ICSS Special Investigations Unit that will provide an additional and dedicated integrity resource for Presidents, C-level executives, executive committees, General Counsels and outside law firms working in the sports industry.”

The ICSS has previously worked with bodies including Victoria Police, Hero Indian Super League (ISL) and World Professional Billiards and Snooker Association.

For more details about the ICSS go to www.theicss.org

Image: Michael Hershman

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