New Global Report Illuminates Hidden Crisis of Trafficking in the Sports World

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(IN BRIEF) Loughborough University, alongside Mission 89 and the Commonwealth Parliamentary Association UK Branch, has released the first comprehensive global report on sport trafficking. The document provides a detailed academic and policy analysis that includes a thorough literature review, expert consultations, forensic investigations, and comparative policy assessments. It examines how the lucrative sports industry, worth between $471 billion and $1.4 trillion annually, has become a hotspot for traffickers, particularly affecting young athletes from the Global South. The report also establishes a specific definition of sport trafficking, distinguishing it from other forms of human trafficking, and introduces a typology supported by case studies based on the UN TIP Protocol. Key recommendations are provided for policymakers, law enforcement, and sports organizations to better protect vulnerable individuals. Dr Serhat Yilmaz and Lerina Bright underscore the importance of these efforts in advancing legal and social frameworks to combat trafficking, aligning with UN Sustainable Development Goals 8.7 and 16.2. The full report and an accompanying podcast discussion are available online.

(PRESS RELEASE) LOUGHBOROUGH, 21-Mar-2025 — /EuropaWire/ — Loughborough University, in collaboration with Mission 89 and the Commonwealth Parliamentary Association UK Branch of the British Parliament, has unveiled the inaugural global thematic report dedicated to sport trafficking. This landmark publication offers an in-depth academic and policy-focused exploration into human trafficking within the sports industry. The report meticulously combines a comprehensive literature review, consultations with interdisciplinary experts, forensic investigations of documented trafficking cases, a comparative analysis of international policies, and valuable insights from leading global authorities.

While the sports industry generates economic benefits estimated between $471 billion and $1.4 trillion annually, the report reveals how this highly profitable sector has unfortunately become a fertile ground for traffickers targeting vulnerable individuals, especially young athletes from the Global South. A critical issue highlighted in the study is the long-standing absence of a clear, sport-specific definition of trafficking. This gap has complicated efforts to differentiate sport trafficking from migrant smuggling, irregular migration, and other forms of human trafficking, thereby hindering the development of precise interventions. In response, the report introduces a well-defined concept of sport trafficking, describing it as the process of recruiting and exploiting individuals within the sporting realm through coercive means that violate basic human rights. This exploitation not only affects athletes directly but also permeates into ancillary areas such as labor and sexual exploitation, particularly evident during major sporting events where informal labor and entertainment services see a surge in demand.

The report goes further by outlining a detailed typology of sport trafficking, enriched with case studies that demonstrate the various manifestations of the crime. These case studies are analyzed based on the constituent elements defined by the UN TIP Protocol, also known as the Palermo Protocol. The publication offers a series of recommendations targeted at policymakers, law enforcement, prosecutors, the judiciary, service providers, and sports organizations, all aimed at enhancing the protection of vulnerable athletes and curbing trafficking activities.

Dr Serhat Yilmaz, the lead researcher and Senior Lecturer at Loughborough University, emphasized the transformative impact of establishing a precise definition for sport trafficking. “Without a clear, sport-specific definition, our legal protections remain inadequate, policy development is stifled, and victims continue to suffer from insufficient support. This work is intended to cast light on sport trafficking, enabling more focused legal and social strategies,” he explained. Lerina Bright, Executive Director of Mission 89, added, “Our research is not just an academic exercise—it is a crucial step forward in addressing and mitigating the vulnerabilities associated with trafficking in sports. By aligning our efforts with the United Nations SDG 8.7 and 16.2, we aim to create a safer environment for all athletes.”

For those interested in delving deeper into this subject, the full report is available for review online. In addition, Dr Serhat Yilmaz and Lerina Bright recently shared their insights during a discussion on Loughborough University’s Experts in Sport podcast, which can be accessed on multiple platforms including Apple Podcasts, Spotify, YouTube, and Buzzsprout.

Media Contact:

Dan Trussell
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01509 228686

Source: Loughborough University