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Lack of governance of football friendly (non-competitive) matches exploited by match-fixers
Football friendly matches are wide open for match-fixing due to a lack of regulation according to new research, with more than 250 friendlies involving European clubs showing signs of suspicious activity during 2016-20. The results come from a three-year study funded by the European Commission’s Erasmus+ programme and led by the University of Nicosia Research Foundation.
A survey of 700 players in Cyprus, Greece and Malta conducted by the project also found that:
- More than a quarter of players (26.5%) had played in a club friendly they suspected had been manipulated.
- More than a quarter (26.3%) of approaches to fix a friendly match were made by club officials and 15% by other players.
- Club officials were the instigators in 19% of approaches to manipulate friendlies and were the main beneficiaries in 26.3% of approaches.
The research study found that international and national football federations have been slow to establish where responsibility lies for friendlies, particularly when clubs from different countries are involved in non-competitive matches played in a third country. Some European football federations do not track where clubs go on pre-season and mid-winter tours.
This lack of sporting governance and regulation, combined with the availability of these games on betting markets around the world, notably with poorly or unregulated betting operators in jurisdictions such as Curaçao and the Philippines, who may themselves have links to criminality, leaves these games at greater risk of potential exploitation by match-fixers.
To address this, the report, Combating Match Fixing in Club Football Non-Competitive Friendlies, proposes:
- That UEFA enforces regulation of friendlies on all 55 member associations
- That match agents are barred from owning or controlling clubs, just as players agents are
- The formation of a body to represent match agents in future negotiations with international bodies such as FIFA and UEFA on regulation
- Establishing data standards that prevent the sale of live match data to poorly and unregulated betting operators
Unlike competitive matches, which are usually covered by agreements between data companies and competition organisers, friendlies are a free-for-all.
Data from these games is being collected and sold to poorly and unregulated betting operators, which do not report signs of suspicious activity, which is often a licensing requirement for well-regulated operators. This sporting event data collation and sale for betting does not currently fall within the scope of regulation, leaving a potential ‘blind spot’ in terms of market and consumer protection.
Lead investigator, Professor Nicos Kartakoullis, President of the Council, University of Nicosia, comments:
“The combination of a lack of regulation, oversight and information makes these matches easier to manipulate than competitive matches.
“This research shows that in terms of governance, friendly matches need to be considered just like competitive matches.
“With the data for 4,000 friendly matches being offered for betting purposes around the world each year, it is also vital that the betting companies receiving that data are operating from well-regulated jurisdictions and report suspicious betting to protect the integrity of those events.”
The research was led by the University of Nicosia Research Foundation and included the International Betting Integrity Association, EU Athletes, CIES and the football players unions of Cyprus, Greece and Malta as project partners.
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Willemstad, Curacao, June 10th, 2026
New hero video brings together four football icons as Stake aims to place fans at the centre of the global football conversation
Stake Unveils Ambassador-Led Football Campaign
Stake has unveiled a new international football campaign featuring brand ambassadors Iker Casillas, Sergio Agüero, Eden Hazard and Patrice Evra, bringing together four of the game’s most recognisable figures in a hero video designed to capture the anticipation, excitement and emotion surrounding one of football’s biggest global tournaments.
The campaign, titled “It’s All At Stake”, forms part of Stake’s wider strategy to engage football fans across key international markets during a period expected to dominate sporting and cultural conversations around the world. The full campaign film is now available to watch on YouTube.
Four Football Icons, One Global Campaign
Created in partnership with specialist production teams, the campaign follows the four former internationals as they navigate the excitement, pressure and unpredictability that make major football tournaments such a unique global spectacle.
Combining humour, personality and football nostalgia, the creative reflects Stake’s continued investment in culturally relevant content that resonates with sports fans beyond the action on the pitch.
The campaign marks the first time Casillas, Agüero, Hazard and Evra have appeared together in a Stake production. Collectively, the quartet represent some of football’s most memorable moments of the modern era, having won major domestic, European and international honours throughout their careers.
Multi-Channel Distribution Strategy
The hero film is being distributed across Stake’s digital channels, including YouTube, Instagram and X, supported by ambassador amplification and additional promotional activity across international markets.
Alongside the main campaign film, Stake has released supporting social content across its channels, including an Instagram Reel showcasing key moments from the campaign.
The campaign has also been amplified through Stake’s official X account, where football fans can engage with and share campaign content.
The campaign has been designed to drive engagement among football audiences while reinforcing Stake’s position as one of the most visible brands operating within the sports and entertainment space.
Connecting Fans Through Football’s Biggest Moments
Football remains one of the world’s most powerful cultural forces, bringing together hundreds of millions of fans across continents, languages and generations.
Through its growing roster of ambassador partnerships and football-focused content initiatives, Stake continues to invest in campaigns that connect with supporters during the sport’s most significant moments.
The launch follows a period of sustained growth in Stake’s global sports marketing activity. By working with internationally recognised athletes and creating original content around major sporting events, the company has continued to strengthen its presence among football audiences worldwide.
As anticipation builds throughout the tournament period, Stake’s latest campaign aims to celebrate the passion, conversation and shared experiences that make football’s biggest occasions so memorable for fans everywhere.
About Stake
Stake is one of the world’s leading betting and entertainment brands, serving millions of customers across regulated and permitted markets globally. Through strategic partnerships, ambassador collaborations and original content initiatives, Stake continues to connect fans with sport’s biggest moments across football, combat sports, motorsport and other major sporting events.
Contact
Stake
The post Stake Unveils Global Football Campaign with Casillas, Agüero, Hazard and Evra appeared first on EE Gaming | Global iGaming & Tech Intelligence Hub.
Willemstad, Curacao, June 10th, 2026
New hero video brings together four football icons as Stake aims to place fans at the centre of the global football conversation
Stake Unveils Ambassador-Led Football Campaign
Stake has unveiled a new international football campaign featuring brand ambassadors Iker Casillas, Sergio Agüero, Eden Hazard and Patrice Evra, bringing together four of the game’s most recognisable figures in a hero video designed to capture the anticipation, excitement and emotion surrounding one of football’s biggest global tournaments.
The campaign, titled “It’s All At Stake”, forms part of Stake’s wider strategy to engage football fans across key international markets during a period expected to dominate sporting and cultural conversations around the world. The full campaign film is now available to watch on YouTube.
Four Football Icons, One Global Campaign
Created in partnership with specialist production teams, the campaign follows the four former internationals as they navigate the excitement, pressure and unpredictability that make major football tournaments such a unique global spectacle.
Combining humour, personality and football nostalgia, the creative reflects Stake’s continued investment in culturally relevant content that resonates with sports fans beyond the action on the pitch.
The campaign marks the first time Casillas, Agüero, Hazard and Evra have appeared together in a Stake production. Collectively, the quartet represent some of football’s most memorable moments of the modern era, having won major domestic, European and international honours throughout their careers.
Multi-Channel Distribution Strategy
The hero film is being distributed across Stake’s digital channels, including YouTube, Instagram and X, supported by ambassador amplification and additional promotional activity across international markets.
Alongside the main campaign film, Stake has released supporting social content across its channels, including an Instagram Reel showcasing key moments from the campaign.
The campaign has also been amplified through Stake’s official X account, where football fans can engage with and share campaign content.
The campaign has been designed to drive engagement among football audiences while reinforcing Stake’s position as one of the most visible brands operating within the sports and entertainment space.
Connecting Fans Through Football’s Biggest Moments
Football remains one of the world’s most powerful cultural forces, bringing together hundreds of millions of fans across continents, languages and generations.
Through its growing roster of ambassador partnerships and football-focused content initiatives, Stake continues to invest in campaigns that connect with supporters during the sport’s most significant moments.
The launch follows a period of sustained growth in Stake’s global sports marketing activity. By working with internationally recognised athletes and creating original content around major sporting events, the company has continued to strengthen its presence among football audiences worldwide.
As anticipation builds throughout the tournament period, Stake’s latest campaign aims to celebrate the passion, conversation and shared experiences that make football’s biggest occasions so memorable for fans everywhere.
About Stake
Stake is one of the world’s leading betting and entertainment brands, serving millions of customers across regulated and permitted markets globally. Through strategic partnerships, ambassador collaborations and original content initiatives, Stake continues to connect fans with sport’s biggest moments across football, combat sports, motorsport and other major sporting events.
Contact
Stake
The post Stake Unveils Global Football Campaign with Casillas, Agüero, Hazard and Evra appeared first on Americas iGaming & Sports Betting News.
Willemstad, Curacao, June 10th, 2026
New hero video brings together four football icons as Stake aims to place fans at the centre of the global football conversation
Stake Unveils Ambassador-Led Football Campaign
Stake has unveiled a new international football campaign featuring brand ambassadors Iker Casillas, Sergio Agüero, Eden Hazard and Patrice Evra, bringing together four of the game’s most recognisable figures in a hero video designed to capture the anticipation, excitement and emotion surrounding one of football’s biggest global tournaments.
The campaign, titled “It’s All At Stake”, forms part of Stake’s wider strategy to engage football fans across key international markets during a period expected to dominate sporting and cultural conversations around the world. The full campaign film is now available to watch on YouTube.
Four Football Icons, One Global Campaign
Created in partnership with specialist production teams, the campaign follows the four former internationals as they navigate the excitement, pressure and unpredictability that make major football tournaments such a unique global spectacle.
Combining humour, personality and football nostalgia, the creative reflects Stake’s continued investment in culturally relevant content that resonates with sports fans beyond the action on the pitch.
The campaign marks the first time Casillas, Agüero, Hazard and Evra have appeared together in a Stake production. Collectively, the quartet represent some of football’s most memorable moments of the modern era, having won major domestic, European and international honours throughout their careers.
Multi-Channel Distribution Strategy
The hero film is being distributed across Stake’s digital channels, including YouTube, Instagram and X, supported by ambassador amplification and additional promotional activity across international markets.
Alongside the main campaign film, Stake has released supporting social content across its channels, including an Instagram Reel showcasing key moments from the campaign.
The campaign has also been amplified through Stake’s official X account, where football fans can engage with and share campaign content.
The campaign has been designed to drive engagement among football audiences while reinforcing Stake’s position as one of the most visible brands operating within the sports and entertainment space.
Connecting Fans Through Football’s Biggest Moments
Football remains one of the world’s most powerful cultural forces, bringing together hundreds of millions of fans across continents, languages and generations.
Through its growing roster of ambassador partnerships and football-focused content initiatives, Stake continues to invest in campaigns that connect with supporters during the sport’s most significant moments.
The launch follows a period of sustained growth in Stake’s global sports marketing activity. By working with internationally recognised athletes and creating original content around major sporting events, the company has continued to strengthen its presence among football audiences worldwide.
As anticipation builds throughout the tournament period, Stake’s latest campaign aims to celebrate the passion, conversation and shared experiences that make football’s biggest occasions so memorable for fans everywhere.
About Stake
Stake is one of the world’s leading betting and entertainment brands, serving millions of customers across regulated and permitted markets globally. Through strategic partnerships, ambassador collaborations and original content initiatives, Stake continues to connect fans with sport’s biggest moments across football, combat sports, motorsport and other major sporting events.
Contact
Stake
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