DOHA: The Qatar Stars League (QSL), in partnership with the International Centre for Sport Security (ICSS), has taken a significant step to strengthen football integrity by conducting four extensive awareness programmes across October and November. The initiative reached 400 members of the football community, including club officials, integrity officers, players, coaches, referees and match commissioners.
Launched by QSL CEO Mr. Hani Taleb Ballan and ICSS CEO Mr. Massimiliano Montanari, the programme reinforced the importance of safeguarding the game from manipulation, corruption and emerging threats. Both leaders highlighted the effort as a vital part of building a comprehensive protection system rooted in governance, transparency and shared responsibility.
“Integrity is the foundation on which sports competition is built,” said Mr. Hani. “At QSL, we view prevention and awareness as essential components of our governance model. Training such a large number of participants underscores our commitment to creating a secure, competitive environment aligned with global standards.”
The initiative featured targeted sessions across key areas:
• A workshop for club integrity officers, focusing on governance frameworks, detection tools and reporting procedures.
• Two dedicated seminars for players and technical staff, exploring modern manipulation methods, digital risks and real case studies supported by international certifications.
• A seminar for referees and match officials, addressing external pressures and best practices for handling suspected integrity breaches.
QSL confirmed that these programmes form part of a long-term annual strategy to enhance governance and strengthen the resilience of the football system. Through consistent awareness efforts and strategic collaboration with specialised bodies, the league aims to foster a culture of vigilance, responsibility and transparency across all levels of the game.
With more than 400 individuals trained in just two months, QSL continues to position itself as a regional leader in promoting football integrity and ensuring a safe, fair and professional sporting environment.
