Application of an Advanced Risk Analysis Evaluation Tool of Sports Integrity in an International Sports Competition: A Quantitative Case Study

Richard McLaren; Diana Tesic; Martin Dubbey

doi:10.18060/27667

Authors

Richard McLaren McLaren Global Sport Solutions
Diana Tesic McLaren Global Sport Solutions
Martin Dubbey Harod Associates

DOI:

https://doi.org/10.18060/27667

Keywords:

risk assessment, automated technology, voice, fraud, sport integrity

Abstract

The estimated annual cost of corruption in the global sports industry is anywhere from $1.7 to $2.6 trillion (Carrillo, 2023; United Nations, 2023). Among the most common types of corruption is the involvement of sports officials in bribery, cheating, embezzlement, match manipulation, and final-result fixing. The authors describe an advanced risk assessment voice analytics tool and its use in identifying and countering the threat of corruption amid sport officials. The tool was implemented during an actual, multi-phase inquiry of amateur boxing officials at an international tournament. Of the 93 completed (pre- and post-competition) automated interviews, 77.4% resulted in risk-positive outcomes for knowledge of and/or involvement in corruption. Ground truth confirmed 80% of the risk-positive flags. In addition, statistical analyses verified the decision support tool’s unbiased model across a group of men and women from 49 different countries. Further, an association of risk-positive flags with countries’ human developmental indices—previously shown to be inversely related to corruption—provides convergent validity for the automated tool. This study’s findings contribute to the international sports integrity investigations and management literature.

Author Biographies

Richard McLaren, McLaren Global Sport Solutions

Richard McLaren, OC, CArb, is is CEO of McLaren Global Sports Solutions, Inc., and an internationally recognized expert in sports law and arbitration. He is also a professor of law at Western University in London, Ontario; Chairman Emeritus Advisory Board, National Sports Law Institute at Marquette University; Special Advisor to Strauss Institute for Dispute Resolution, Pepperdine University; Counsel to McKenzie Lake Lawyers, LLP; and a high-ranking member of CAS, WADA, and other sports-integrity supervisory boards and organizations. Having published in a wide range of areas, including sports-related dispute resolution, he has led investigations and been involved in the adjudication of worldwide sports integrity-related disputes at both the amateur and professional levels.

Diana Tesic, McLaren Global Sport Solutions

Diana Tesic, MA, JD, is an international sports lawyer with more than 15 years of experience in high-profile and complex sports investigations, arbitration, and legal counsel for various sports organizations. She serves as legal counsel at McLaren Global Sports Solutions, Inc., President of the FIBA Appeals Panel, and Anti-Corruption Hearing Officer for International Tennis. She previously acted as counsel to the President of the Basketball Arbitration Tribunal. She has played key roles in major sports inquiries, including WADA’s Independent Commission Investigation into doping and corruption at the IAAF, the Investigation into the International Weightlifting Federation (IWF), and international boxing. Additionally, she co-authored Canada’s most comprehensive study of the national safe sport system, providing strategic recommendations for implementing an effective safeguarding mechanism in the Canadian market.

Martin Dubbey, Harod Associates

Martin Dubbey, is managing director at Harod Associates, where he brings a unique blend of more than 30 years of law enforcement and a decade of sports investigation experience, combined with a solid understanding of the latest technologies to support integrity, and help counter corruption in sport. He has comprehensive expertise in private sector commercial fraud and asset-tracing work, integrating his know-how of government, global connections, and the use of sophisticated technology.

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