Everyone’s in, on the game: financial crime and the organization of sporting events. Looking for a “virtuous” model

Purpose: This study aims at investigating the phenomenon of financial crime with specific reference to the organization of major sporting events. In particular, in the light of the existing international regulatory framework and recent cases, the study highlights how the adoption of a “virtuous model” – from the point of view of transparency and legality – fully responds to the needs not only of the sports system itself but, also, and above all, of the entire international community. Design/methodology/approach: The paper combines deductive and inductive approaches in addition to consulting and analyzing the principal official reports on the matter, the state of the art, scholarly studies and some of the most relevant leading cases. Findings: In view of the growing interest of the international community in fighting the phenomenon of sports manipulation, this study highlights some of the critical aspects that have so far characterized the approach of the institutions, focusing the attention on the profile of “sustainability” and “responsibility” understood also from the legal perspective. Originality/value: Given, on the one hand, the huge economic interests that the organization of major sporting events generate and, on the other hand, the social impact they produce as well, the study offers some insights on the need to adopt a sort of “third way,” a virtuous model that acts as a forerunner and that combines respect for the law with the peculiarity of the sports system, so that the final result can be of benefit to the entire international community.