Sport: A public good under threat 

Sport in all its shapes – from the local grassroots level to the highest global elite – has an unrivalled potential to transmit human values such as equality, teamwork, social cohesion, respect for values, rules and laws, community spirit and solidarity, as well as fun and enjoyment for both athletes and spectators.

Worldwide, sport is recognised as a public good, and as such it should belong to those who enjoy it as practitioners or audiences. The structure of most sports organisations should ensure that sport is run by its members and embedded in a democratic culture. 

However, in recent years the qualities of sport have come under threat. The explosive commercial growth of sport has created an industry that attracts and allows crime and corruption to flourish. 

Alongside other pressing issues, match manipulation, systemic doping, financial fraud, and corruption among sports officials have become widespread. Moreover, the many forms of athlete abuse are revealed with increasing frequency across all sports disciplines.

These developments not only destroy the trust in sport’s governing bodies; they undermine the positive impact of sports activity and challenge the rule of law. These damages hold profound consequences with immeasurable costs to individuals and society, alongside significant economic costs for sport and public authorities. 

It is time to reverse these developments and push back the forces that jeopardise sport as a public good. 

Since the start of the century, numerous measures and considerable investments have intended to protect athletes, officials, and communities from the harmful effects of corrupt and criminal behaviour. To name a few, sports organisations have created ethical committees and codes of conduct. State authorities have tightened laws that affect sport. Transnational organisations have produced innumerable resolutions and recommendations. Despite good intentions, these efforts too often fail because rules and regulations are not enforced.

That’s why we initiated the ClearingSport project.