ANALYSIS OF CORRUPTION FACTORS RELATED TO MATCH-FIXING IN PROFESSIONAL SPORTS

Annotatsiya

This article provides a comprehensive analysis of corruption factors associated with match-fixing in professional sports in Uzbekistan. Match-fixing is recognized as one of the most serious threats to the integrity of sports, as it undermines fair competition, damages public trust, and diminishes the social and economic value of athletic achievements. The study highlights the main causes of match-fixing, including financial instability among athletes and clubs, the tendency of players and coaches to seek illegal profits, weak monitoring and control mechanisms, and insufficient transparency within sports organizations and refereeing systems. The research methodology combines legal analysis, comparative study of international practices, and case studies of disciplinary proceedings in Uzbekistan between 2019 and 2023. Results reveal that 77 individuals, including players, referees, and coaches, were sanctioned for match-fixing while Uzbek tennis players and swimmers faced international disciplinary measures. However, sanctions remain primarily disciplinary, with no criminal liability established in national legislation. The discussion compares Uzbekistan’s situation with countries such as Bulgaria, Denmark, and Germany, which criminalized match-fixing, and with the Council of Europe’s Macolin Convention. The conclusion emphasizes the urgent need to introduce criminal liability, strengthen preventive mechanisms, and enhance cooperation between sports federations and law enforcement agencies.