Awareness session on match-fixing held for football players of several clubs

An awareness session on combating match-fixing was organized for members of the main teams of the "Mingachevir", "Shimal", and "Zaqatala" clubs competing in the I League, as well as the "Agdash" club competing in the II League. Sport24.az reports that the session was conducted by the AFFA's Compliance and Match-Fixing Department.

Naib Asadov, the head of the Compliance and Match-Fixing Department, who is also responsible for combating match-fixing, and Murad Mammadli, another employee of the department, provided detailed information to the football players about the concept of match-fixing, the differences between ordinary mistakes made during the game and deliberately manipulated behaviors, as well as the serious damage that such cases cause to the integrity and reputation of football.

During the session, it was emphasized that football players are not only athletes but also carriers of values, and it was noted that principles such as fairness, integrity, responsibility, and being an example play an important role in the professional activities of football players. The main motives of match-fixing, in which games manipulation cases occur more often, the role of sports betting in this process, and methods of influencing football players were explained through a presentation.

At the same time, discussions were held on the ethical duty of football players, the steps they should take when faced with a suspicious or match-fixing proposal, and practical situations regarding cases in which silence also entails responsibility. Special attention was paid to approaches made through social media, the tools used by manipulators, and the importance of properly managing football players' public and personal profiles.

During the session, it was reported that the relevant articles of the AFFA's Disciplinary Code adopted in 2025 stipulate that participation in match-fixing, attempted such cases, or concealment of information is considered a serious disciplinary offense, and specific examples from local and international experience were presented to the football players.

The main goal of the awareness event is to protect transparency and integrity in the football community, strengthen the fight against match-fixing, and increase football players' awareness in this area.