Insights and Analysis

IPACS guide on the prosecution of bribery in sport

18 December 2025

Members of our Investigations, White-Collar and Fraud team contributed to a recent publication by the United Nations Office on Drugs and Crime, developed in collaboration with the International Partnership Against Corruption in Sport and the International Olympic Committee. The publication sets out a practical methodology to support criminal and regulatory prosecutors in bribery-in-sport cases and calls for enhanced cooperation among law enforcement agencies, criminal justice authorities, and sports organisations, highlighting how such collaboration can effectively address corruption in sport.

Partners Khushaal Ved and Ignacio Sanchez, Counsel’s Alessandro Borello and Marine De Montecler have contributed to the recent International Partnership Against Corruption in Sport (IPACS) Guide on the Prosecution of Bribery in Sport which was formally launched on 15 December during the Conference of the States Parties to the UN Convention against Corruption.

The publication sets out a practical methodology designed to support criminal and regulatory prosecutors in addressing bribery cases within sport. It also emphasizes the need for stronger cooperation between law enforcement agencies, criminal justice authorities, and sports organizations, underscoring how such collaboration can play a decisive role in combating corruption in the sporting sector.

Key obstacles include: