ICSS partners with Qatar Stars League

Announced at ASPIRE4SPORT 2013, the ‘Sport Integrity Best Practice’ partnership will see the ICSS and QSL collaborate to monitor matches in the 2nd leg of the 2013/14 QSL season and the Heir Apparent Cup. The agreement will include the introduction of vulnerable match-alert and suspicious match-reporting systems as well as a range of seminars and workshops to educate and instil best practice in appreciating, resisting, preventing and responding to match fixing.

With its international expertise and knowledge, the ICSS will offer advice on areas of due diligence and match investigations and offer on-demand fit and proper persons testing for match agents and competition business propositions.

ICSS dedicated staff will support the QSL to advise on the further development of QSL regulations and the set-up of preventative disciplinary measures for combatting match fixing.Mohamed Hanzab, President of the ICSS, said: “Like many professional leagues around the world, the QSL is concerned about the prevention of corruption in sport. I commend the QSL for their commitment to the development of integrity programmes aimed at tackling match fixing - this new partnership is an exciting initiative for Qatari football and the ICSS is honoured to support and join forces with the QSL.

With a host of major international football competitions taking place over the next 12 months, including the 2014 FIFA World Cup Brazil, this a crucial time for the international football family. As part of the ICSS’s ongoing focus across the issue of match fixing, our team of leading integrity practitioners is dedicated to developing new solutions that will create a brighter and fairer future for football and for sport in general.

Hani Ballan, Deputy CEO of the QSL, said: “Match fixing is a subject the international football community is working hard to stamp out once and for all. This is an issue which the Qatar Stars League will never become complacent over. We are joining forces with the world-renowned authority on the matter and are proud to demonstrate we treat the running of our professional game with integrity and transparency. I am proud the QSL has entered into a partnership with the ICSS.

“The agreement proves the commitment of the league to combat a problem that has spread all around the world. We are aware of this and we must face up to doing what is right to prevent future problems. The QSL is extremely committed to working with the experts in the field of sports security.”

Sheikh Saoud meets French Olympic chief

His Excellency Sheikh Saoud bin Abdulrahman al-Thani, Secretary-General of the Qatar Olympic Committee (QOC), met Denis Masseglia, the President of French National Olympic Committee, at his Office in Doha yesterday.

Sheikh Saoud appreciated the relations between Qatar and France in all domains, especially sports.

For his part, the French Olympic official applauded Qatar’s comprehensive development of sports infrastructure and its ambitious strategy for development in all fields of human activity.

Qatar to take on Palestine in West Asian football opener

he West Asian Football Federation (WAFF), in collaboration with the Local Organising Committee (LOC), have announced the match schedule for the 8th WAFF Championship to be held in Qatar in December

The opening match is scheduled to be held on December 25 at 5:30pm at Al Sadd Stadium where hosts Qatar will play Palestine. Following the kick-off match, Group B teams Oman and Bahrain clash at 8:00pm.

The second day will witness two matches from Group C where Jordan will play Yemen at 5:30pm at Qatar Sports Club followed by a match between Kuwait and Lebanon at 8:00pm.

The semi-finals will be played on January 4, 2014, while the final match will be held on January 7.

Held in Qatar from 25th December 2013 until 7th January, 2014, this year’s championship sees the participation of 10 teams which have been divided into 3 groups.