Introduction to the special issue: The different faces of corruption and organised crime in sport

This special issue on “The Different Faces of Corruption and Organised Crime in Sport”, aims to shed light on the multifaceted nature of criminal activities that have infiltrated sport at all levels—from grassroots competitions to elite professional leagues. At the same time, specific attention is paid to the role of endogenous actors, threatening the integrity of and in sport from within the sport ecosystem. Hence, this special issue criticises and expands the dominant narrative that sport is a pristine industry that is merely jeopardised by external, ‘mafia type’ actors. Showing that the scope of organised crime in sport is diverse and complex, reflecting the evolving tactics of criminal organisations as they adapt to new regulatory landscapes, technological advances, and shifting market dynamics, this special issue pushes the envelope in grasping that sport and corruption are more intertwined than openly admitted in both academia and practice.