Integrity in sport: SIGA Europe launches Elite Advisory Board

SIGA Europe, the European branch of the world’s leading sport integrity coalition, today, Friday, announced the launch of its high-level senior Advisory Board today during SIGA Sport Integrity Week.

According to SIGA Europe, the new board, will “be responsible for ushering European sport into a new era of greater integrity, with enhanced governance, transparency, and accountability,” while “acting locally and thinking globally.”

SIGA, the Sport Integrity Global Alliance is the “largest coalition in the field of sports governance and integrity”, and seeks to “bring about meaningful reforms and enhance the integrity of all sports”, according to the organisation, of which this newspaper is a media partner.

Board to provide "strategic guidance and independent advice"

SIGA Europe was set up earlier this year, and the appointment of the high-level Advisory Board follows in the footsteps of SIGA America, who announced their Advisory Board earlier this week.

According to SIGA Europe, “the Advisory Board will provide strategic guidance and independent advice to SIGA Europe’s leadership on relevant matters and projects, and support the implementation of the organisation’s vision, mission, and global reform agenda.”

The initial board will be chaired by Sir David Richards, former Chairman of the English Premier League, co-founder and former Chairman of the European Leagues and World Leagues Association.

Sir David will be joined by Deputy Chair Kate Beavan (Former Global Director of Hospitality and Experiences, Formula 1) along with the following members:

Angela Smith: Chair, Stoke City Supporters Council | World Champion Squash 


Lord Jonathan Marland: Chair, Commonwealth Enterprise and Investment Council | Member of the House of Lords | Former UK Prime Minister’s Trade Envoy, Minister for Energy and Climate Change and Business, Innovation and Skills 


Louis Saha: Football legend (former Manchester United and French National Team Footballer) | Founder and CEO, AxisStars | SIGA Champion 


Miguel Cardenal: Former Secretary of State of Youth and Sport, Spain; Director of Business Development, Mediapro 


Richard Caborn: Former Minister of Sport, UK 


Rosa Mota: 2 times Marathon Olympic Medalist, 1 time World champion, 3 times European 
Champion | SIGA Champion 


Viktoria Slavkova: Chair, Advisory Group on International Cooperation, Committee on Safety & 
Security, Sports Events, Council of Europe | Member, Finance & Administration Committee WADA 


Rui Boticas Santos: Lawyer | President, International Tribunal & Judge, International Court of Appeal, 
FIA | Official Arbitrator, CAS 


Advisory board to push for reform

Commenting on the launch of the Advisory Board, Emanuel Macedo de Medeiros, Executive Chairman of SIGA Europe and Global CEO of SIGA, stated:
“It is with a sense of pride that I warmly welcome the elite group of senior leaders that committed to join SIGA Europe Advisory Board. Together, with their knowledge and expertise, we will be make substantial progress in our fight for clean sport. Together, we will strive to implement SIGA’s reform agenda in Europe, and be the dynamo of the most needed reform. European sports fans demand integrity in sport, and we will be there for them, leading the way for Sport Integrity in Europe. ”

Sir David Richards said: 
“I am proud to be the Chair of the SIGA Europe Advisory Board. Given my in-depth knowledge of European football, I know all too well the challenges facing sport. There is a need for an independent organisation such as SIGA to ensure a global regulatory framework that promotes the highest integrity standards across the industry. I look forward to working with SIGA, because sport without integrity doesn’t embody its values of fair play & team work.” 


Deputy-Chair Kate Beaven, said of her appointment: 
“I am delighted and honoured to join the SIGA Europe Advisory Board. In a super connected world there is almost no one on the planet who is not a fan and a consumer of one Sport or another. This puts sport and all and each of us in a unique position of influence. With this influence comes an ever-growing responsibility to use it wisely and carefully and responsibly. Sport is at a crossroads in demonstrating its relevance to the world, society and to stakeholders, who are more aware and active than they have ever been before. For this reason, I stand with SIGA and support its aims and objectives wholeheartedly. I cannot wait to see the work being done.”