Integrity in Sports: Why Education Is a Priority
Brazil.– October 22, 2025 – www.zonadeazar.com Sportradar’s Latin America Integrity Director argues that only proactive education can sustain sports credibility amid the sportsbook boom in Brazil.
Overview
In his column published on October 21, 2025, Felippe Marchetti outlines how Brazil’s booming sports betting market has elevated the threat of match-fixing, corruption and undue influence over athletes and referees.
He emphasizes that athletes — especially younger ones without sufficient financial or emotional education — are highly vulnerable to manipulation. Hence, he asserts, education is not a peripheral issue but a core strategic priority.
Details / Context
Marchetti explains that while integrity conversations tend to centre on investigations and sanctions, “they are important but not enough”. The real fight needs to start in prevention, and prevention only exists through education.
To this end, Sportradar has delivered integrity workshops across Brazil in men’s, women’s and under-20 football clubs, also branching into other sports and eSports, via partnerships with sports betting sponsors and associations. Clubs such as Corinthians, Grêmio and São Paulo FC are among those engaged.
The article further highlights that Brazil saw a 48 % decrease in suspicious matches in 2024 compared to 2023 — tangible evidence that these initiatives are starting to work.
Future Outlook
Marchetti states that education must transcend football, reaching beach volleyball, eSports, referees and digital platforms.
Sportradar plans to deepen partnerships with the CBV, CBF and national authorities such as the Ministry of Sport, Ministry of Economy and the Federal Police.
He concludes that building a strong integrity culture is a long-term endeavor — yet essential if the sports betting market in Brazil is to grow responsibly and sport itself remains a source of pride and passion.
Key Themes
- Prevention over punishment: Education is positioned as the first line of defence, ahead of sanctions.
- Cross-discipline reach: Focus covers football, eSports, volleyball and referee training.
- Public-private collaboration: Highlighting how governments, federations, clubs and operators must unite.
- Impact measurement: The 48 % reduction in suspect matches underscores early success of the approach.
- Human-centred approach: The initiative centres on players, especially youth, empowering them with ethical, financial and emotional education.
🔗 Edited by: @_fonta www.zonadeazar.com