Swiss anti-corruption plan aimed at sports organisations
Swiss council looks into a tightening of anti-corruption law, aiming at sports federations. Photo: Swiss Federal Palace, Bern/Wikimedia
16.05.2013
By Play the GameYesterday the Swiss cabinet held a public consultation on the proposed law tightening.
So far, corruption in Switzerland is only an offence under the penal code if it involves government officials or if it is meant to distort market competition.
"In the absence of a classic situation of concurrence, acts of corruption between private parties are not punished," said the government press statement about the consultation.
"This situation has been increasingly discussed in view of the constant events of corruption observed in the international sporting federations."
"Because of this, private corruption should be regulated within the penal code and should no longer depend on a situation of concurrence. "For example, acts of corruption committed in the awarding of the organisation of big sporting events should be punishable," the statement says according to Reuters.
In November last year the Swiss Council commissioned a report looking into how corruption and match-fixing in sport could be effectively combated.
The law proposal is now object to comments and suggestions from legislative parties until 5 September after which it will be decided whether the law should be sent to parliament.
Read more: Swiss federal council approves report on stronger rules on sports fraud