Sport24.az
AFFA's Compliance and Match-Fixing Prevention Department organized an awareness session on combating match-fixing for referees of categories 3, 4, and 5, as well as female referees. Sport24.az reports that prior to the session, tests were conducted to assess the level of knowledge of the participating referees on the topic.
The results showed that most referees have a good understanding of their duties and responsibilities in this area.
During the session, the head of the Compliance and Match-Fixing Prevention Department, who is also UEFA's responsible representative for the integrity of matches, Naib Asadov, and the department's leading specialist, Murad Mammadli, provided the referees with detailed information about the concept of match-fixing, the differences between ordinary referee decisions made during a match and deliberately manipulated decisions, as well as the serious damage that such cases cause to the integrity and reputation of football.
The trainers spoke extensively about the crucial role that referees play in the game process and the importance of protecting this role from any external influence. It was stated that referee decisions are considered one of the most sensitive points in the context of match-fixing, and therefore the professional behavior of referees always requires high control and responsibility.
Within the framework of the session, it was emphasized that referees are not only the party that manages the game, but also the main guarantor of the principles of fairness and integrity of football. It was stated that objectivity, adherence to principles, impartiality and high professional ethics are an integral part of the referee's activity, and the protection of these principles is of decisive importance for the credibility of football. The main motives of match-fixing, in which games manipulation cases occur more often, the role of sports betting in this process, and possible methods of influencing referees were explained through a presentation.
At the same time, the ethical duty of referees, the steps they must take when faced with a suspicious or match-fixing offer, the necessity of reporting such cases in a timely and correct manner, as well as the serious consequences of concealing information were discussed based on practical situations. Special attention was paid to approaches made through social media, the tools used by manipulators, and the importance of properly managing referees' public and private profiles.
During the session, the relevant articles of the AFFA Disciplinary Code adopted in 2025 were brought to the attention of the referees, it was emphasized that participation in match-fixing, attempting such cases or concealing information is considered a serious disciplinary violation, and concrete examples from local and international experience were presented.
The main goal of the awareness event is to protect transparency and integrity in the football community, strengthen the fight against match-fixing and further increase the level of responsibility and awareness of referees in this area.
