The International Betting Integrity Association, IBIA and PFA Canada have successfully completed the second year of their collaborative anti-match-fixing education programme, reaching nearly 200 players and staff across all eight Canadian Premier League (CPL) clubs.
The initiative, titled “Protecting the Integrity of the Game”, is built around the 3Rs framework—Rules, Responsibility, and Reporting—which equips athletes and coaches with the knowledge to recognise, avoid, and report integrity risks related to sports betting.
Delivered primarily through in-person training, the programme allows participants to discuss real-world scenarios and gain a practical understanding of potential match-fixing threats. The sessions emphasise the importance of protecting both personal careers and the broader integrity of the sport.
Marco Carducci, President of PFA Canada and captain of Cavalry FC, said:
“As sports betting continues to grow in Canada, this training supports our mission to keep integrity and fairness at the heart of the game. It’s vital for players to understand the risks and their responsibilities.”
Khalid Ali, CEO of IBIA, added:
“Preventing betting-related match-fixing starts with education. Through face-to-face sessions, industry-funded initiatives, and collaborative campaigns, IBIA is setting the global standard for athlete education. Player education is a cornerstone of a robust Canadian sports betting integrity framework, alongside regulation and monitoring. A clean sport benefits everyone.”
The programme also covers rules and sanctions, the use of technology in integrity monitoring, and reporting channels, including the Red Button app, which allows athletes to confidentially report suspicious activities.
Callum Irving, captain of Vancouver FC, commented:
“The IBIA training was incredibly informative, providing players with essential knowledge about sports betting rules, consequences for involvement in match-fixing, and ways to report illegal activity. Resources like IBIA are essential to protecting our sport.”
The initiative is part of a CA$300,000, three-year investment by IBIA and its members—bet365, Betway, and FanDuel—offering Canadian athletes and sports organisations free access to integrity education.
Jean-Francois Reymond, IBIA Education Ambassador, concluded:
“PFA Canada has been an ideal partner. Their player-focused approach fosters trust and openness, enabling athletes to engage with a challenging subject. We look forward to expanding this programme in 2026 and partnering with additional sporting organisations to safeguard Canadian sport and athlete careers.”
