SIGA
LIGA Portugal is SIRVS certified: SIGA signals a new era on sport governance
SIGA signals a new era on sport governance, following in the footsteps of the European Rugby League Federation.
As proud media partners of the largest sports integrity alliance in the world, AS USA is happy to announce that the Sport Integrity Global Alliance (SIGA) awarded Liga Portugal the Bronze Certification on Good Governance in Sport, marking it as the first premier professional football League globally to go through SIGA’s Independent Rating and Verification System (SIRVS) and reach the podium.
Conducted by SIGA’s independent and SIRVS-trained global audit team, the SIRVS audit assessed Liga Portugal’s governance rules, processes, and practices against the 2020 Edition of SIGA’s Universal Standards on Good Governance in Sport.
SIGA’s Universal Standards on Sport Integrity are built in a three-phase implementation process: Bronze, Silver, and Gold – the equivalent of “Good,” “Better” and “Best,” respectively.
Liga Portugal is now following in the footsteps of the European Rugby League Federation, the first sports organization to obtain SIRVS certification. This sets a precedence for other top-tier football organizations to demonstrate compliance and prove they are fit for purpose and worthy of the financial investment from the broadcasters and sponsors, the trust and public funding from the governments, and the passion and loyalty from the fans.
Several renowned international sports organizations have committed to undergoing SIRVS, including but not limited to SIGA’s long-term partner and European football’s governing body, UEFA. Other sports organizations, including the European Swimming League (LEN) and the International Chess Federation (FIDE), are making use of SIGA’s independent gap assessment audit, which is confidential and a precursor to SIRVS, to support the organizations in achieving excellence.
SIRVS certifications hold a three-year validity, with annual reviews to ensure that sports organizations continually elevate their governance and integrity.
Reflecting on Liga Portugal’s accomplishment, at a time when football and the broader sports industry strive to address the increasing demands for good governance, transparency, and independent scrutiny, Emanuel Macedo de Medeiros, SIGA’s Global CEO, said:
“The SIGA Universal Standards on Sport Integrity and SIRVS are at the heart of our reform agenda and are designed to support sports organizations’ ongoing governance journey. They are the silver bullet; the most advanced and the only independent tool in the entire global sports industry to assess, rate and certify sports organizations’ governance and deliver, in a rigorous, neutral, and objective manner, the indispensable transparency and accountability.
As the pioneering football league to go through SIRVS, Liga Portugal has undoubtedly demonstrated its commitment to Sport Integrity and continual governance improvement. But, by doing so, they have also set an example for every other single sport organization. Today, I congratulate Liga Portugal, not just for their achievement but for becoming the torchbearers of change, inspiring a brighter, more trustworthy future for football. SIGA looks forward to working with Liga Portugal to achieve Silver in the next 12 months and invite other leagues around Europe and globally to join us and do the same.”
Pedro Proença, LIGA Portugal’s president, stated:
“Transparency, ethics and integrity have always been – and will always be – top priorities for Liga Portugal. We have always assumed that it is not enough to express our ambitions, it is necessary to take action. That’s why Liga Portugal was proud to lead by example and become the first national sports organization to adopt an Anti-Bribery Standard, in 2021.
This Good Governance certification awarded by SIGA is another firm step taken by Liga Portugal to protect universal values such as ethics, transparency and integrity. Values that for Liga Portugal are not just words but principles that we will never renounce to.
Being the first professional football league to achieve this certification reinforces our commitment to protecting our competitions and safeguarding integrity in Professional Football.
On behalf of Liga Portugal, I would like to thank Mr. Emanuel Medeiros and the entire SIGA team for once again demonstrating their confidence in our work.”