On March 11, 2025, the Sovereign Order of Malta, in collaboration with Mission89, hosted a two-hour webinar to launch the 2024 Global Thematic Report on Sport Trafficking. The event gathered distinguished speakers, experts, and stakeholders to discuss the exploitation of vulnerable individuals in the sports industry, the report’s findings, and actionable recommendations to combat sport trafficking.

The webinar aimed to present the key findings of the Global Thematic Report on Sport Trafficking, written in partnership with Loughborough University, raise awareness of human trafficking within the sports industry, foster dialogue on legal and policy responses, and encourage collaboration among stakeholders to protect vulnerable athletes.

Prof. Michel Veuthey, Ambassador of Sovereign Order of Malta to Monitor and Combat Trafficking in Persons, and Ms. Lerina Bright, Founder of Mission89, opened the webinar by highlighting the increasing prevalence of human trafficking in sports. They underscored the importance of defining and addressing sport trafficking as a unique form of exploitation. Ms. Bright presented the Overview of the report’s significance as well.

Mr. Kevin Hyland OBE, former UK Independent Anti-Slavery Commissioner, provided insights into the global challenges of human trafficking, emphasizing the urgent need for policy reforms and stronger enforcement mechanisms. Mr. John-Michael Lander, a survivor advocate, shared his personal experience of exploitation in sports. His testimony emphasized the psychological and social impact of trafficking on young athletes.

Dr. Olawale Maiyegun and Dr. Monique Emser presented the international legal framework and foundational concepts of sport trafficking. Their discussion included the absence of a clear legal definition for sport trafficking, research methodology, and findings from the report, as well as the theoretical framework guiding the study.

Dr. Katarina Schwartz analyzed trafficking mechanisms, cross-border implications, and regulatory gaps. The presentation also covered a typology of sport trafficking, case studies highlighting various forms of exploitation, and the need for enhanced regulatory frameworks.

Dr. Olawale Maiyegun provided recommendations, focusing on strengthening anti-trafficking laws aligned with the UN Trafficking in Persons Protocol, improving victim protection measures, and enhancing cooperation between governments, sports organizations, and law enforcement agencies.

The panel discussion was moderated by Ms. Lerina Bright. The panel featured experts including Hon. Jared Okelo, Member of the National Assembly of Kenya, and Ms. Marie-Laure Lemineur, Head of Safeguarding, FIFA. The discussion covered practical implementation of the report’s recommendations, challenges in enforcing anti-trafficking policies in sports, and opportunities for cross-sector collaboration.

Participants engaged in a dynamic discussion, sharing perspectives and proposing innovative solutions to combat sport trafficking. Prof. Michel Veuthey summarized key takeaways, reaffirming the commitment of the Sovereign Order of Malta and Mission89 to continue advocating for stronger protections against sport trafficking.

The webinar successfully highlighted the urgent need for targeted interventions in the sports industry to combat trafficking. Future steps include further dissemination of the report’s findings, advocacy efforts to promote policy changes, and continued stakeholder engagement to implement the proposed recommendations. The event reinforced the importance of international cooperation in addressing human trafficking in sports and provided a roadmap for future action.

The webinar successfully gathered 60 participants representing 25 countries: Argentina, Austria, Benin, Burkina Faso, Cameroon, Canada, Democratic Republic of Congo, France, Ireland, Italy, Kenya, Lebanon, Morocco, Netherlands, Nigeria, Norway, Poland, Sierra Leone, South Africa, Spain, Switzerland, Trinidad and Tobago, Uganda, United Kingdom and United States of America,

You can access the thematic Report HERE and the video recording of the webinar HERE.