European clubs step up match-fixing prevention

Geneva: Europe's top football clubs have been asked to increase their commitment to prevent match-fixing.

The European Club Association said it invited 214 members to sign a "Charter on Integrity in Football".

The membership includes several clubs which have had officials or players convicted or sanctioned for involvement in fixing cases since the group was created in 2008.

Clubs signing the charter promise to "include in their standard player contract a clause which explicitly refers to the prohibition to engage in match-fixing."

The charter requires clubs to appoint a "reliable contact person" for staff and players to report attempts to corrupt matches.

Club staff should also be educated about the risks of betting on games, the ECA said.