The title of this blog post came to me as I read this article and tried to relate it to other instances where strong evidence of corruption in international sport has been revealed. It addresses the disclosure that an official of a boxing institution was curiously present in the front during the contest between Amir Khan and Lamont Peterson some weeks ago. Khan's team alleges that this official may have adversely influenced the judges.
To be honest, notwithstanding my reference to to FIFA in this post, I am generally suspicious of conspiracy theories. However, it is clear that the incentives for improper behavior are clearly available in lucrative sports disciplines. It seems that officials at the boxing match under reference acted in a less than transparent manner and this has called to question the decision of the fight.
I agree now that incentives for corruption in private bodies is high and that the international sports organizations should be a lot more transparent in their financial and contractual affairs. Granted that a majority of them are private organizations and therefore subject to scrutiny by their membership alone, I am inclined to the belief that their monopoly status adds to the opacity.
To be honest, notwithstanding my reference to to FIFA in this post, I am generally suspicious of conspiracy theories. However, it is clear that the incentives for improper behavior are clearly available in lucrative sports disciplines. It seems that officials at the boxing match under reference acted in a less than transparent manner and this has called to question the decision of the fight.
I agree now that incentives for corruption in private bodies is high and that the international sports organizations should be a lot more transparent in their financial and contractual affairs. Granted that a majority of them are private organizations and therefore subject to scrutiny by their membership alone, I am inclined to the belief that their monopoly status adds to the opacity.
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