Logos of the Bundesliga. Bundesliga 2 and Deutsche Fußball-Liga (DFL)
In recent weeks, Bundesliga and Bundesliga 2 clubs have begun training their professional squads as part of the “Gemeinsam gegen Spielmanipulation” (Together Against Match Fixing) programme, which exists since 2012. This training, which is obligatory following a unanimous resolution by the DFL members’ meeting on 12 December 2017, must be carried out by 31 January 2019 for the 2018–19 season and then repeated annually. Clubs have been obliged to take suitable measures to prevent match fixing in the U16 to U23 age groups at the academies since the 2014–15 season.
The relevant, standardised training material has been compiled by DFL Deutsche Fußball Liga together with Sportradar AG. The DFL has cooperated with the Swiss company since 2005 in order to monitor all Bundesliga and Bundesliga 2 matches in Germany and abroad with regard to potential betting manipulation. An app and an e-learning tool are being developed to supplement the training measures. The website gemeinsam-gegen-spielmanipulation.de is being revised and updated to reflect this.
According to the “Rechts- und Verfahrensordnung” of the German Football Association (DFB), players, managers and officials of the clubs are prohibited from placing bets. This prohibition also applies to the Bundesliga and Bundesliga 2 and is part of the standard employment contract.
Since 2012, DFL and DFB have compiled and collated their preventive measures under the heading “Together Against Match Fixing” in close coordination with Transparency International Deutschland e.V.. Since 2011, lawyer Dr Carsten Thiel von Herff has acted as DFL and DFB’s shared ombudsman for match fixing. In this role, he is an external contact person for players, managers, coaches, club employees and referees for confidential tip-offs regarding match fixing or other irregularities.
(DFL Deutsche Fußball Liga)