IBIA and PFA Expand Canadian Integrity Efforts

Education Programme Reaches Every CPL Club

The initiative covered all eight Canadian Premier League clubs and used IBIA’s Protecting the Integrity of the Game model. The framework focuses on Rules, Responsibility and Reporting, which help athletes understand betting-related risks. The in-person format encouraged players and coaches to discuss real situations and share concerns.

As a result, the sessions built awareness of early warning signs and practical steps for reporting suspicious behaviour. The organisers also highlighted the need to make integrity education a stable part of Canadian soccer.

Marco Carducci, President PFA Canada and Captain of Cavalry FC, said:

“With the growth of sports betting across Canada, this training has progressed PFA Canada’s goal of supporting athletes and keeping integrity and fairness at the heart of our sport.”

Programme Backed by Long-Term Investment

IBIA placed athlete education at the centre of its Mission 2030 integrity strategy. It explained that teaching players complements regulation and monitoring and creates a stronger system against manipulation. During the sessions, athletes learned about sanctions, betting rules, reporting tools and the role of technology in detecting suspicious patterns.

Khalid Ali, CEO of IBIA, added:

“Preventing sports betting-related match-fixing starts with educating the athletes and coaches. Through collaborative campaigns, industry funded initiatives and unique face-to-face training, IBIA is setting the global standard for athlete education on betting integrity, in line with our Mission 2030 strategy. Alongside regulation and monitoring, it is very important that player education is placed at the heart of a maturing Canadian sports betting integrity ecosystem. We’re pleased to see this programme delivering real impact. Everyone benefits when sports are clean.”

Callum Irving, Captain of Vancouver FC, said:

“The IBIA sports integrity training was super informative for our players, providing essential information on the rules of sports betting, the consequences of being involved, and ways to report any illegal activity. Resources like the IBIA are beyond integral to safeguarding our sport and locker rooms from sports betting-related match-fixing.”

The initiative is funded through a three-year CA$300,000 investment from IBIA and member operators bet365, Betway and FanDuel. The funding ensures free, in-person training for Canadian athletes and sports organisations.

Jean-Francois Reymond, IBIA’s Education Ambassador, said:

“PFA Canada is the perfect partner and we are delighted our collaboration will continue in 2026. As representatives of the players, and with a mission to protect them, they were able to build the atmosphere of trust and openness necessary to discuss what can be a challenging topic for many professional athletes. We look forward to partnering with additional sporting organisations as we help safeguard the integrity of Canadian sport and the careers of Canada’s athletes.”