CONMEBOL And IBIA Strengthen Football Integrity Through Referee Training
Brazil.- February 4, 2026 – www.zonadeazar.com CONMEBOL and the International Betting Integrity Association deliver a specialised training programme for South American referees, reinforcing match-fixing prevention and safeguarding football integrity.
Overview
CONMEBOL, together with the International Betting Integrity Association (IBIA), carries out a dedicated integrity training programme aimed at referees across South American football. The initiative strengthens preventive mechanisms against match manipulation linked to sports betting.
Referees are positioned as key stakeholders in protecting the credibility of competitions and ensuring transparency on the field.
Details / Context
The programme is delivered in person and focuses on real-world scenarios referees may face during their professional careers. Topics include risk identification, recognition of undue influence attempts, handling of sensitive information and clear reporting procedures.
The initiative aligns with CONMEBOL’s ethics, compliance and integrity framework, responding to the rapid expansion of regulated betting markets across the region.
Key themes
- Match-fixing prevention through education and awareness.
- Strategic role of referees in integrity protection.
- Regulated sports betting and enhanced control standards.
- Institutional cooperation between sports bodies and integrity organisations.
Future outlook
Referee education emerges as a cornerstone of football integrity strategies in South America. As betting markets continue to grow, proactive initiatives like this reinforce trust in competitions and set a preventive benchmark for other sports and jurisdictions.
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