GENEVA: The Sport Integrity Global Alliance (SIGA) has opened applications for organisations seeking to become SIGA Accredited Certification Bodies (ACBs).
The organisation said this is a milestone that transforms SIGA’s independent certification model from a centralised system into a scalable global infrastructure. The announcement comes as the world unites around the 2026 Fifa World Cup – a reminder of sport’s extraordinary power to inspire, and of the responsibility that power demands.
SIGA said its Independent Rating and Verification System (SIRVS) is the world’s only independent framework for assessing and rating sports organisations against a comprehensive set of Universal Standards on Sport Integrity.
“Those Universal Standards cover Good Governance, Financial Integrity and Transparency, Sports Betting Integrity, and Youth Development and Protection, with new standards on Social and Environmental Sustainability in Sport and Artificial Intelligence & Sport Integrity currently under development,” SIGA said in a statement.
Under the new model, SIGA will license selected ACBs to conduct SIRVS assessments within clearly defined scopes – covering geography, applicable standards, and sport sectors.
SIGA will retain full ownership of the SIRVS standards, methodology, intellectual property, governance, oversight and quality assurance framework, ensuring consistency, independence and credibility across all certified assessments globally.
The initiative is the most significant structural expansion in SIGA’s history, designed to make independent integrity certification accessible to sports organisations of every size, in every country, at every stage of their governance journey.
Emanuel Macedo de Medeiros, SIGA co-founder and global chief executive officer, said: “For far too long, sport has been its own referee.
“Scandals in governance, finance and betting have shown, repeatedly, that blowing its own whistle and declaring itself fit for purpose is neither enough nor regarded as truly credible.
“The world demands proof – independent, rigorous, internationally recognised proof – that sports organisations govern themselves and operate with integrity. SIRVS exists to provide exactly that.
“Today, by opening the door to Accredited Certification Bodies across the globe, we are ensuring that no sport, and no country, is left behind.
“This is not an administrative change. It is the moment SIGA’s mission becomes truly global – and sport is finally given its silver bullet to safeguard its own integrity, credibility and future.”
SIGA welcomes applications from organisations with relevant expertise in certification, audit, verification, assessment, compliance, legal, accounting or professional services; especially those with experience in sports governance or in governance, integrity and risk management.
Applicants will be assessed against SIGA’s eligibility and capability criteria, including relevant experience, independence, governance, financial sustainability, conflict of interest policies, ethical suitability and capacity to deliver high-quality certification services.
ACB status will be granted on a non-exclusive basis within a defined scope, and will be subject to ongoing compliance with SIGA requirements, participation in training and quality assurance processes, and adherence to SIGA’s policies and ethical standards.
SIGA will offer a dedicated Pioneer ACB Package to the first approved applicants – a recognition of early commitment and a platform to shape the next phase of global sport integrity certification.
Katie Simmonds, SIGA global chief commercial officer and coordinator of the SIRVS technical team, said this is a strategic opportunity for organisations with recognised expertise in assurance, compliance, audit, and professional services to expand their role in sport while contributing directly to higher standards of governance and integrity.
“The organisations that step forward now will not simply be service providers. They will be co-architects of a more accountable and trusted Sports Industry,” Katie said.
“This is a rare opportunity to combine commercial purpose with genuine impact. ACBs will sit at the heart of an international movement that is changing how sport governs itself, and how the world sees it,” she added.
Interested organisations are invited to submit their application by Oct 1, 2026. Contact SIGA at sirvs@siga-sport.com for more information.
Twentytwo13 is SIGA’s official media partner.
