Turkey passes law introducing tough penalties for match-fixing and hooliganism in sports

PanARMENIAN.Net - Turkey's parliament passed overnight a law introducing tough penalties for match-fixing and hooliganism in sports, aimed mainly at football clubs and their fans, Anatolia news agency reported.

The law, which needs a presidential approval to take effect, introduces jail sentences of five to 12 years for match-fixing, calling for the terms to be increased by half if the offence is committed by club managers or with the intent to sway bookmaking results, Anatolia said.

Insults based on "religious, racial, ethnic and sexual differences" would carry prison terms of six months to two years and the sentences would be increased by half if the offence is committed in written form and displayed, it said.

The law also toughens security rules for football matches, introducing a compulsory electronic card for spectators, the database of which would be open to the interior and finance ministries.

The possession of knives, sharp instruments and explosive materials at stadiums would carry a jail sentence of up to one year, and an additional term of up to three years if they are used in stirring up unrest.

Offenders also face the risk of being banned from matches for one year.

Stadiums in football-mad Turkey have often been the scene of violence, including deadly incidents.