Commitment to Te Tiriti o Waitangi
Table Tennis NZ recognises Te Tiriti o Waitangi as Aotearoa New Zealand’s founding document and is committed to upholding the mana of Te Tiriti o Waitangi and the principles of Partnership, Protection and Participation.
Policy 15: Match Fixing
We need to protect and uphold the integrity of table tennis and those who work and play within it, against the risks that arise from match-fixing. Match-fixing has no place in table tennis.
Purpose
Match-fixing is a type of competition manipulation in sport because it involves deliberately changing how sport is played and the outcome of a match, for individual gain.
This policy aims to:
- give clear guidance on how to identify match fixing
- (including spot-fixing)
- give clear guidance on what to do if anyone identifies match fixing in the sport
- help keep people in the sport safe from match-fixing
- support a culture of speaking up in our sport
- make sure the approach taken to dealing with match fixing is fair and consistent, including enabling culturally appropriate responses and processes.
Application
This policy applies to anyone involved in Table Tennis NZ or any organisations affiliated to Table Tennis NZ. This includes as a participant, employee, contractor or volunteer, player, official (referee or umpire), Board or committee member or office holders, administrator, coach, supervisor, manager, member, caregiver, parent, whānau or supporter.
What is Match-Fixing?
Match-fixing is a form of competition manipulation that threatens the integrity of sport and includes any improper alteration of a competition that can be gambled upon, such as bets placed on arranged outcomes for money. Match-fixing is a crime where a person tries to improperly influence the overall result, or part of a sports match, game, race, or event for personal benefit.
When a person tries to improperly influence a specific part of a match, game, or event, it is called spot-fixing. Spot-fixing is considered part of match-fixing. There are many ways a person may try to influence part of a sports match, game, or event, or the overall result. For example, when done deliberately and for personal or team gain.
- an umpire makes calls in favour of one team, even when the call is wrong
- more points for a particular athlete or team
- an athlete becoming injured or leaving the game
- a player regularly using their opposite hand to hold the bat, during a match
A person can personally benefit from match-fixing in many ways, not limited to financial gain. For example:
- a promotion within the sport code
- an official could be offered the opportunity to officiate in more prestigious events
- a participant is offered new expensive sports kit
- a participant is offered a scholarship
- a coach influences team members to lose matches in order to obtain greater team success that results in better rewards and prestige for the coach
Some sport activities may look like match-fixing but are not. Any situation where a participant, team or coach is acting in a certain way to gain a sporting tactical advantage is not match-fixing, but does not fit with the ethics of our sport. For example:
- deliberately committing a fault to be disqualified to ensure a better game pool
- throwing or deliberately losing a game or points to gain an advantage (tanking)
- a coach fields a weaker team to keep the stronger players fresh for a game later in the pool
Table Tennis NZ believes that any actions that are not aligned with the organisation’s values put at risk the reputation and integrity of the sport. This includes manipulation of match outcomes to achieve a future competitive advantage.
ITTF has regulations about players performing to their best.
- Players, coaches and officials shall uphold the object of good presentation of the sport and safeguard its integrity by refraining from any attempt to influence the elements of a competition in a manner contrary to sporting ethics
- Players have to do their utmost to win a match and shall not withdraw except for reasons of illness or injury.
- Players, coaches and officials shall not participate in any form of or support betting or gambling related to their own matches and competitions.
What to do if a player is not performing to their best: speak up and raise it immediately with the referee at the tournament.
If it is clear that a player has spot fixed/match fixed or failed to perform to their best to gain an advantage further in the tournament, a tournament referee may caution or ban the offending player from the category competition and notify the Table Tennis NZ Chief Executive.
To avoid match fixing Table Tennis NZ may not publish links to post round robin placements in knockout draws to prevent this sort of manipulation.
Inside Information
Sometimes our position in the sport, such as being an official for a team, a participant or a referee can give us access to exclusive information about a team or participant that is not public and is of interest to corrupt gambling organisations (e.g., tactics, injuries, etc.). Passing on that information is misuse of inside information and is a form of corruption.
Betting Prohibition
Participants, officials, and referees should not bet on a competition they are involved with, as they will have access to information that isn’t available to the general public. Knowing the information may mean they are in a better position to accurately predict the outcome of the match. It is not match-fixing as the information is not used to influence the outcome of a match, but it breaks the rules about not betting on their own sport or competition.
Risks of Match Fixing
People breaking the rules by match-fixing risk severe penalties, including a potential lifetime ban from their sport. They could also face criminal investigation and prison. Match-fixing and spot-fixing are crimes under the Crimes Act 1961 and the Crimes (Match fixing) Amendment Act 2014. The NZ Police can take proceedings against the people involved in match-fixing. The maximum penalty is seven years’ imprisonment. In addition, Table Tennis NZ, the International Table Tennis Federation (ITTF) and International Olympic Committee (IOC) have sport specific penalties which can be used to penalise match-fixers. Penalties may include lifelong suspension from the sport, financial penalties, and loss of employment. There may be other wider consequences for a person found guilty of match-fixing. For example, a loss of reputation and the distrust of the sporting and wider community. There can also be consequences for their organisation. For example, a sponsor may pull out of supporting Table Tennis NZ as it does not want its brand associated with match-fixing. There may be a loss of reputation for the sport causing people to give up the sport and young people to choose other sports.
Protecting Yourself Against Match-Fixing
- Know your sport’s rules for match-fixing, and your obligations
- Refer to the Gambling and Sport Betting Policy of Table Tennis NZ
- Rules can and do change. Make sure you check for any updates to the rules at the beginning of the season. If you are in charge of athletes, particularly younger athletes, make sure they are aware of the rules.
- Do not bet on a sport or competition you are involved in.
- Don’t share sensitive information.
- Do not ask someone to bet on a match you are involved in.
- Ensure all actions you take during a match are for the right reasons.
- Never give or take a gift, reward or payment that might be viewed as improper.
- Never fix a match.
- Play fairly, honestly and to the best of your abilities.
- Never pressure another person to spot- or match-fix.
- Never try to make another person spot or match-fix by offering money or other incentives.
- If someone approaches you to fix a match, or part of a match, say no and report it immediately to a coach, club member or official. You will be helping yourself and stopping a more vulnerable person being approached next.
- If you know of match-fixing or suspect match-fixing, report it to the CEO Table Tennis NZ, the competition organiser, or the NZ Police. If you ever feel threatened or unsafe, we encourage you to go straight to the Police.
Education
If you have any questions about match-fixing, talk to someone at Table Tennis NZ. If they do not know the answers, they will be able to direct you to someone who does. Sport New Zealand is also available to help. It has online e-Learning courses to support you to make the right decisions.
Sometimes problem gambling can lead us into activities like spot- and match-fixing. If you have a gambling problem or feel you may have there are organisations who can give you confidential help. Refer to the Policy 16: Gambling and Sport Betting Policy of Table Tennis NZ.
Version: February 2025