SIGA re-elects global CEO Emanuel Macedo de Medeiros

The Sport Integrity Global Alliance (SIGA), the world’s largest independent coalition dedicated to integrity and good governance in sport, has unanimously renewed the mandate of Emanuel Macedo de Medeiros as its Global Chief Executive Officer for the 2026–2030 term. AS is a proud media partner of the organisation.

The decision, adopted unanimously by SIGA’s Council, reflects full confidence in Macedo de Medeiros’ leadership and in the strategic direction the organisation has pursued since its creation. The election will now be submitted for formal ratification by the SIGA General Assembly at its Annual General Meeting on April 14, 2026, in Lisbon, Portugal.

Pushing for integrity across the global sports ecosystem

One of the most experienced and influential figures in international sports governance and law, Macedo de Medeiros is widely regarded as a leading architect of modern governance and integrity frameworks in global sport. A sports lawyer by training, he conceived and co-founded SIGA and has led the organisation since its inception, building it into a multi-stakeholder alliance bringing together sports bodies, governments, companies and civil society to promote transparency, accountability and integrity across the global sports ecosystem.

Earlier in his career he co-founded the European Professional Football Leagues and the World League Association, organisations representing professional leagues in Europe and worldwide, and was repeatedly re-elected CEO of both. He was also among the founders of the Sports Rights Owners Coalition and played a key role in establishing the European Social Dialogue in professional football under the auspices of the European Commission.

Alongside his executive roles, Macedo de Medeiros has contributed to governance and policy initiatives involving institutions such as UEFA, FIFA, the Organisation for Economic Co-operation and Development, the Court of Arbitration for Sport and the World Economic Forum.

Making Integrity Irreversible

His electoral manifesto, titled Making Integrity Irreversible, sets out a strategic agenda focused on strengthening SIGA internally while expanding its global impact.

Among the priorities for the new mandate are consolidating SIGA’s governance structures, strengthening financial sustainability through a diversified revenue model and the expansion of SIGA Sports Solutions, accelerating adoption of the SIGA Universal Standards on Sport Integrity and the SIRVS verification and certification framework, and promoting governance and transparency as key drivers of trust and investment in sport.

The strategy also emphasizes athlete protection, particularly in youth development programs, stronger technological and intelligence systems to anticipate integrity risks, expansion of SIGA’s global networks including SIGAWomen, the SIGA Youth Council and the SIGA University Network, and increased global engagement through media and international forums.

Reflecting on his re-election, Macedo de Medeiros said:

“I am deeply honoured by the confidence unanimously placed in me, and I thank all Council members for their trust and continued commitment to our shared mission.

SIGA’s leadership elections are conducted through a rigorous two-stage process involving both the Council and the General Assembly. It may be unusual in international Sport, but for me legitimacy means everything. Governance must be earned through trust, accountability and the confidence of our Members – and I would not have it any other way.

This renewed mandate is not about an individual. It is about completing the work we have collectively begun and ensuring that Integrity in global Sport becomes structural, measurable and irreversible.

The standards have been established, and the mechanisms are in place. The task now is disciplined delivery – ensuring that Integrity governs every decision, guides every organisation and drives every action across the global Sport ecosystem.

In the coming years, our focus will be on translating commitments into verifiable outcomes. Integrity must move from aspiration to expectation, and from voluntary alignment to institutional obligation.

Our mission remains clear, and today it is more important than ever: to ensure that every sport organisation, in every country, can demonstrate compliance with the SIGA Universal Standards on Sport Integrity through independent verification, rating and certification. Only then will Sport be able to earn people’s trust everywhere and fulfil its full potential.”

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