World Athletics Fires Staff After €1.5m Fraud Scandal, Calls Police

World Athletics has fired employees and involved law enforcement after uncovering more than €1.5 million (£1.3m) in corporate theft. The fraud was discovered during the organisation’s latest financial audit, marking the first under its new financial leadership team.

The scheme, which lasted several years, involved two staff members and a contracted consultant. One staff member had already left before the fraud came to light, while the second employee and the consultant were dismissed immediately after the internal probe.

Law Enforcement Steps In

World Athletics confirmed it has handed the case to judicial and legal authorities to pursue criminal action. The governing body said it will use every legal tool available to recover the stolen funds.

President Sebastian Coe said the organisation refuses to hide wrongdoing:

“Too many organisations brush incidents like this under the carpet. We are not that type of organisation.”

Coe stressed the importance of accountability and transparency, saying the athletics body has worked hard to build a culture of strong governance.

Strengthening Financial Oversight

Following the discovery, World Athletics announced plans to introduce tougher financial controls to avoid future fraud attempts. The new measures will support stronger monitoring, tracking, and financial reporting systems.

Coe said exposing the theft is uncomfortable but necessary:

“It is important that we do the right thing. We are determined to recover whatever monies we are able.”

The incident comes as many sports bodies tighten oversight and rebuild trust amid rising global scrutiny around financial integrity in sports.