Is sport at a crisis point? That was the question posed by RTÉ’s Sean O’Rourke yesterday in a wide-ranging discussion with Barrister Susan Ahern and Rob Hartnett, CEO at Sport for Business.
We looked at the integrity issues that challenge sport at global and national level referencing technology in the gambling sector as well as the sometimes contradictory approach of sports governing bodies.
History tells us that there has long been a threat posed by gambling, with Hartnett reeling off scandals from 1915 involving Man United and Liverpool through to the notorious Chicago Black Sox and 37 arrests of NCAA students in 1961.
We discussed the impact on individuals as well as sport in a wider context and the need to raise awareness of the threats among those most at risk.
Ahern has been at the heart of issues of integrity in recent years as a Director of Sport Ireland and adviser across a number of international sporting bodies, including on integrity issues at the 2015 Rugby World Cup.
You can listen back to the discussion in full on RTÉ Radio One here.
After the microphones went down we continued the discussion and will take it deeper into the Sport for Business Round Table format where we will invite a group of members to explore what might Ireland do or be able to do to influence matters of integrity in sport.
If you would like to be considered to take part in the discussion get in touch today.
Sign up today for our free daily news digest covering the commercial world of sport or discover the benefits of becoming a full member alongside the many leading organisations whom we serve.
