Launched in collaboration with Sportradar AG, the AFC Integrity Education Programme is a flagship initiative of the Confederation designed to empower integrity officers with the skills, knowledge, and confidence required to prevent integrity breaches through education and training, fostering a self-sustaining network of experts who can then provide integrity training within their respective national federations.

 

The online sessions, which covered key integrity topics, ranged from match-fixing and betting corruption, misuse of inside information, and digital risks, and provided participants with a strong foundation of knowledge that paved the way for further learning during the on-site modules.

 

The on-site event complemented the virtual modules by providing participants with an opportunity to learn to deliver training in a dynamic and impactful way, ensuring consistency of content while allowing for regional flexibility. The on-site event also enabled the Member and Regional Associations to strengthen a continent-wide network of integrity leaders.

AFC General Counsel and Director of Legal Affairs Andrew Mercer said: “The AFC Integrity Education Programme is especially relevant as we owe it to our teams, who continue to excel on the world stage, to hone our skills and equip ourselves with the necessary expertise to protect them as well as our competitions.

 

“It is the responsibility of Integrity Officers to uphold the fundamental values that guide fair play and good governance in their respective environments and to become leaders who, in the long run, elevate not only their own systems but the overall football landscape in Asia."

 

Andreas Krannich, Executive Vice President, Integrity Services, Sportradar said: “Integrity is not only about reacting to challenges, but about anticipating them. The AFC’s Integrity Education Programme sets a benchmark for global sport, and this programme empowers local leaders to drive meaningful change through education.

 

“By equipping integrity officers with both the theoretical understanding of the match-fixing landscape and the practical tools to deliver anti-match-fixing education, we are helping ensure they are not only prepared to detect threats but also to prevent them before they arise. Together, we are building a resilient integrity network that protects the game, its players, and its fans for years to come.”