Sports data and betting security services provider Sportradar has struck an agreement with the Asian Football Confederation (AFC) to support the governing body's efforts to tackle match-fixing, reports Soccerex Business Daily/. According to the Reuters, Sportradar will monitor matches at regional tournaments, including the 2015 Asian Cup national event, as well as the AFC Champions League and AFC Cup club competitions. The AFC has endured a number of incidents of match-fixing in recent years in various competitions across Asia.
"The AFC's partnership with Sportradar is the latest step taken to counter the threat that match-fixing poses to football in Asia," the governing body's general secretary, Dato' Alex Soosay, said.
"This is a historic development in AFC's fight against match manipulation. It is also a very crucial element in our campaign against this menace. I'd also like to call upon all football stakeholders including our Member Associations to join hands with us in this campaign. FIFA and the Malaysian government are also supportive to our initiatives. We look forward to utilising Sportradar's proven expertise in this field and developing an effective working partnership."
Sportradar CEO Carsten Koerl added: "Sportradar is prepared to do its part to help AFC fight match-fixing in football. I'd also like to commend the continental football body for being proactive in this endeavour because match manipulation in sports has taken a different twist with the involvement of sophisticated international organised crime organisations.
"Sportradar is honoured to have the opportunity to utilise our technology and expertise to work closely with AFC to help protect the integrity of Asian football."
