FA team up with Betfair to step up betting security

The Football Association are to work with betting exchange firm Betfair to further safeguard against the possibility of match-fixing and illegal betting.

The memorandum of understanding allows the sporting body greater access to information within the betting industry, including the right to request details of those suspected of trying to influence match results.

FA chief executive Mark Palios said in a statement: “The FA is committed to upholding the core principle that drives football as a competitive sport – that participants must always have winning as their sole aim, within the laws of the game.

“This agreement helps us to maintain English football’s well-deserved reputation for integrity.”

Similar agreements are already in place with the Jockey Club, the International Cricket Council and the Association for Tennis Professionals. Both the FA and Betfair hope it will help bring an end to corruption within sport.

“Working closely with sporting regulators, and allowing them access to the information we have, is the best way to ensure that sport is kept free of crime,” Betfair’s chief executive officer Stephen Hill explained.

“This is good news for the integrity of sport.”