The Federazione Italiana Rugby has signed a three-year partnership that will see Sportradar Security Service provide its fraud detection and prevention services to the Italian top flight of professional rugby, the Eccellenza, and the 10 clubs that contest it.
Sportradar’s Fraud Detection System will monitor 450 betting operators from Europe and beyond to highlight and analyse any unorthodox betting patterns and behaviours while the Fraud Prevention Service will ensure that players, coaches and managers take part in a fully tailored workshop, led by Sportradar’s integrity executive in Italy, Marcello Presilla.
“Every year Italian rugby is making progress. Last year we came fifth in the Six Nations and this year we gave a good account of ourselves in the Rugby World Cup,” said FIR president Alfredo Gavazzi.
"The game is growing here and we love the passion of our fans who travel and support their teams across Italy and Europe. But growing the sport also means taking care of its roots and its foundations and one of those foundations is its integrity; its honesty.
"This partnership with the company that supports all the main rugby leagues and federations in their defence against match manipulation is a commitment. It is a commitment from us to our players, coaches, officials, fans, sponsors and broadcasters that we will cut no corners when it comes to keeping the game we love honest. Italian rugby can and will continue to grow, knowing that its foundations are secure and protected.”
