Malaysia ahead in global fight against sports corruption, says Marshall

Alex Marshall, the former head of the International Cricket Council (ICC) anti-corruption unit.

PETALING JAYA: Cheaters in Malaysian sport face real consequences - and that’s what sets the country apart from much of the world, says veteran sports integrity expert Alex Marshall.

Marshall, who was the former head of the International Cricket Council (ICC) anti-corruption unit, said Malaysia’s legal framework consists of effective laws on corruption, which not many countries do.

"There are lots of countries in the world where bribing sportspeople is not a crime," said Marshall, who also has 37 years of experience in law enforcement in England.

"Malaysia is really strict on anti-corruption and has good laws about it.

"In some countries, there isn't any legislation that covers corruption in sports. So people can fix matches and can be caught, but they don’t face any consequences besides maybe being banned from the sport."

After spending seven years with the ICC, where he set up the integrity unit covering anti-corruption, anti-doping, and safeguarding, Marshall now runs a private company working globally across a variety of sports, including the International Paralympic Committee, biathlon, and the Winter Olympics.

 

Marshall said his motivation is simple - to ensure fans get an honest contest in the sport they love, and that anyone who tries to tarnish it must face the consequences.

 

"Anyone cheating in sport is ruining it for the fans. I want those watching - whether live or on television - to believe in what they’re seeing, that it’s an honest game.

 

"When someone cheats, they ruin the sport for all the good people who just want to enjoy it," he said.