STRASBOURG, 21 December 2015 – Mr Ihor Zhdanov, Minister of Youth and Sports of Ukraine signed in the name of Ukraine the Council of Europe Convention on the Manipulation of Sports Competitions, aimed at preventing, detecting and punishing the manipulation of sports competitions, as well as enhancing the exchange of information and national and international cooperation between the public authorities concerned, and with sports organisations and sports betting operators. Thus, Ukraine became 22^ndMemberState of this Organisation to have signed this important international instrument.

By signing this Convention Ukraine rose to the call the Secretary General of the Council of Europe Thorbjørn Jagland, who, during his working visit to Kyiv in March 2015, had invited Ukraine to join the convention against manipulation in sports that became real threat for the international sports movement. The ceremony of signing took place in the presence of Mrs Gabriella Battaini-Dragoni, Deputy Secretary General.

The Convention calls on governments to adopt measures, including legislation, notably: prevent conflicts of interest in sports betting operators and sports organisations; encourage the sports betting regulatory authorities to fight against fraud; fight against illegal sports betting. Sports organisations and competition organisers, in turn, are also required to adopt and implement stricter rules to combat corruption, sanctions and proportionate disciplinary measures in the event of offences.