Romania: New legislative proposal targets match-fixing with prison terms

Romanian Deputy Brian Cristian has submitted a new legislative proposal to Parliament aimed at combating the fraudulent manipulation of sports competitions. Following the Senate's rejection of a previous attempt to introduce a distinct crime for sports manipulation into the Penal Code, this new initiative, referred to as “Anti-Blat Law 2,” proposes harsher penalties.

The draft legislation seeks to establish a specific offense for the fraudulent influence of sports competition results, carrying prison sentences ranging from two to eight years. It also includes provisions for fines and the prohibition of certain rights. Unlike previous measures, the proposed criminal liability would extend beyond club officials to include athletes, coaches, referees, agents, medical staff, and other individuals involved in the preparation or conduct of competitions.

The initiative is supported by 38 parliamentarians, primarily from the USR party, with additional signatures from PNL and PSD members. The author argues that current Romanian legislation lacks a clear definition for this specific crime, often forcing investigators to rely on broader charges like corruption or fraud, which can create difficulties in establishing material elements and administering specific evidence related to betting and result manipulation.