By Paul Nicholson
October 20 – CONCACAF has moved against the scourge of match-fixing by appointing a new full time executive to lead the fight regionally. Dr. Laila Mintas will take up the new position of Director of Sports Integrity on November 15 with a brief to design and implement processes that will prevent and investigate match-fixing issues in the region.
The most damaging case of match-fixing to strike at the heart of central American football last month resulted in lifetime bans imposed last month by the El Salvador federation on 14 of its current and past senior internationals. FIFA turned the bans into a worldwide sanction.
Two other players have had their six and 18-month suspensions also extended by FIFA. The FIFA ban relates to all football activity, not just playing for the national team. Fixed matches reportedly included a Gold Cup clash with Mexico in 2011, friendlies against DC United and the United States in 2010 and a fixture against Paraguay earlier this year.
Central America, where many players struggle financially, is reckoned to be susceptible to match-fixing. Last year Guatemalan internationals Guillermo Ramirez, Gustavo Cabrera and Yony Flores were banned for life.
Dr. Mintas has extensive experience in the battle against match-fixing, having served as Head of Legal and International Development for FIFA’s Early Warning System (EWS) in Zurich.
She previously worked as a lawyer at the international law firm White & Case LLP, and has lectured law at the Humboldt University of Berlin. Dr. Mintas has published a number of articles on sports and gambling law and is Co-Editor on the law journals ‘World Sports Law Report’ and ‘Causa Sport.’
CONCACAF General Secretary Enrique Sanz said: “We are certain that Dr. Mintas’ vast experience and expertise will strongly benefit our aim of preserving and sustaining the integrity of our game.
“We are committed to transparency and determined to build strong foundations for our sport by working with all members of the Confederation, governments and law enforcement agencies to combat match fixing and fight corruption in football.”
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