IBA Transnational Crime Conference: Integrity in Question From the Playing Field to the Supply Chain

Corruption in Sports: Safeguarding Integrity
The Corruption in Sports panel focused on the manipulation of competition as a growing global concern, particularly in light of increased online betting and commercial pressures. The session was chaired by Saverio Lembo (Bär & Karrer) and Ben Ticehurst (HCR Law), with expert contributions from Flavia Leardini (Mattos Filho), Cristián Mir Díaz (Chilean Olympic Committee), Adam Pennock (Sportradar) and Marta Ruiz-Ayucar (FIFA).
Cristián Mir Díaz underscored the dual nature of corruption in this field, emphasizing that there were issues both on and off the field, and that no sporting competition should have its outcome influenced by illicit activity such as doping or match-fixing.  Panelists emphasized the urgent need for compliance mechanisms, monitoring programs, and enforceable contractual frameworks, in order to preserve the integrity of sports and protect all stakeholders involved.

Criminal Law Meets ESG: Supply Chain Offences
In the session Supply Chain and Criminal Offences, panelists explored the growing use of criminal law to address environmental, social and governance (ESG) violations ─ ranging from modern slavery and environmental crimes to prosecuting greenwashing.
Chaired by Ross Dixon (Hickman & Rose Solicitors) and Margot Laporte (Dorsey & Whitney), the session featured insights from Yoab Bitran (Albagli Zaliasnik), Chirag Naik (MZM Legal), Michael Polak (Church Court Chambers) and Oliver Pragal (Pragal & Prinzenberg).
Yoab Bitran offered an in-depth perspective on Chile’s evolving ESG legal landscape, noting that companies listed on the Chilean stock exchange are now required to include ESG-related information in their annual reports. He also highlighted the 2023 Economic Crimes Law, which introduced over 250 offenses for which companies can be held criminally liable under certain conditions, including cases involving false or misleading disclosures. Bitran pointed out that while Chile has a regulatory framework that could be used to prosecute supply chain offences, practical enforcement remains a significant challenge. He also mentioned pending legislation targeting greenwashing, and warned that international pressure — from European or US authorities — may ultimately drive enforcement efforts in the region.
The discussion highlighted how companies are now facing legal exposure for ESG breaches across vast, multi-layered supply chains ─ sometimes under anti-money laundering laws or evolving ESG-specific legislation. The panel called for stronger due diligence, regulatory alignment and proactive legal strategies to navigate this shifting terrain in the coming years.

Navigating the field
These sessions demonstrated how legal systems are extending the reach of criminal accountability into sectors previously managed through civil or administrative law. From match-fixing to corporate ESG failures, the legal profession must stay ahead of new risks while protecting the foundational values of integrity and justice.

#IBA2025 #LeadersLeagueIBA2025