April 1 – Sports integrity specialists Starlizard Integrity Services (SIS) have reported a slight drop in matches suspected of match-fixing in their annual report that covers more than 74,000 national and international games in 2024.
A total of 159 football matches were identified as suspicious, against 171 matches identified as suspicious in 2023.
This is a drop from the 171 suspicious matches identified in 2023 (0.23% of that year’s analysed matches).
However, while the report shows an overall drop, it also highlights a shift in focus by match-fixers to the South American region where 67 matches were identified as being suspicious – the highest regional percentage.
Affy Sheikh, Head of Starlizard Integrity Services, said: “We are encouraged by the findings of the 2024 report, which show a slight decrease in the number and proportion of suspicious football matches compared to the previous year. Any fall in the level of suspicious matches is to be welcomed as it may indicate that efforts to enhance the integrity of football are making a positive impact.
“That being said, the data also highlights ongoing concerns, particularly an apparent shift towards the South American region.”
SIS categorises matches as “suspicious” when they show suspect betting patterns that may be indicative of match-fixing. SIS believes that all matches identified would warrant further investigation – in other words, if you placed a bet that those games weren’t fixed, you would lose.
For many criminal gangs, match-fixing is still the perfect crime. Not all matches suspected of being fixed are investigated and relatively few result in prosecution.
The report highlights that 139 suspicious matches identified in 2024 were played in domestic league and cup competitions (87.4%), with 92 matches (57.9%) in domestic leagues below the top league.
SIS emphasises that club friendly matches continue to present concerns, with 14 such matches assessed as suspicious in 2024.
Three youth matches were identified as suspicious in 2024, compared to ten in 2023. While no suspicious women’s matches were identified in 2023, and only one women’s match was identified in 2024. This match had a HIGH Suspicion Rating.
In terms of betting pattern, match fixers are most active in betting on First-Half Only markets. Of the 159 matches identified as suspicious in 2024, 61 (38.4%) involved betting exclusively on First-Half Only markets.
A further 11 matches in 2024 also showed suspicious betting on First-Half Only Markets as well as the Full-Time Markets, meaning that, in total, 72 matches (45.3%) saw suspicious betting involving First-Half Only Markets.
“The continued high prevalence of suspicious betting on First-Half Only markets and the persistence of suspicious activity in friendly matches, underscore the ongoing need for vigilance and robust measures to combat match manipulation. Starlizard Integrity Services remain committed to working with our partners across the globe to ensure the integrity of football at all levels, particularly through our Komodo anti-match-fixing platform, which is available for free to sports governing bodies and law enforcement agencies,” said Shaikh.
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