Fair, clean competitive sport

Doping

Doping is fundamentally contrary to the spirit of sport and fair play. Doping also carries health risks. The independent Netherlands Anti-Doping Authority aims to eradicate doping in sport through doping controls and providing information about doping.

The World Anti-Doping Code sets out how countries and sports organisations can help stamp out doping in elite sport. The Code lists prohibited substances and the sanctions to be imposed on athletes who are found to have used such a substance. In the Netherlands, the sports federations are responsible for implementing and enforcing the Code.

At the government’s request, the Netherlands Anti-Doping Authority has drawn up national anti-doping regulations (NDR) that elaborate the international standards for the Netherlands. Compliance with the regulations is mandatory for all elite sports organisations.

UNESCO has adopted the International Convention against Doping in Sport, which obliges governments around the world to combat doping in sport. The Dutch government is helping to do this by combating trade in prohibited substances and through international agreements.

Government plans for registering personal data

The government is writing a bill that will allow personal data to be processed for the purpose of doping control. The bill will be aligned with the new World Anti-Doping Code which will enter into force on 1 January 2015.

Match-fixing

Match-fixing is when players, referees or other officials are bribed into influencing the result of a match, usually so that people betting on the outcome make a profit. Match-fixing undermines the core values of sport. It has occurred in a number of European countries.

Match-fixing has also occurred in the Netherlands, but the practice has not corrupted entire competitions, according to a recent government study.

The government wants to make sure the Netherlands is unattractive to match-fixers. To this end, it has joined forces with the sports sector, the betting and gaming sector, the police and the Public Prosecution Service to establish a national platform to tackle match-fixing and build expertise in this area.

International cooperation in the area of sport

European countries work together to combat match-fixing, doping, violence and racism in sport, notably through the EU’s Erasmus+ programme. In addition, the Council of Europe has drawn up a convention to combat match-fixing and set up working groups on doping and football vandalism.

In addition, the European Union supports its member states and helps them to coordinate their individual sports policies under the terms of the Treaty of Lisbon.