FIFA outsources match-fixing monitoring

FIFA is stopping the internal detection of match-fixing, outsourcing a "key pillar" of its work protecting the integrity of world soccer.

The 'early warning system' (EWS) has been operated by FIFA for a decade, investigating betting irregularities in games, including World Cup qualifiers and the showpiece tournament.

But FIFA told AP on Friday it had hired data services company Sportradar to use its fraud detection system to "identify and analyse any suspicious betting behaviour or patterns".

The world governing body previously highlighted the advantages of its own EWS, describing it as a "key pillar of FIFA's ethics work" and stressing it operated independently of the commercial betting industry. A Sportradar division provides services to bookmakers.

FIFA president Gianni Infantino said Sportradar would "invigorate and enhance our integrity program".