Match-fixing is becoming a major concern in sports leagues around the world. More and more athletes and sports figures are getting involved with match-fixing scandals, and New Zealand politicians want to do something about it. This week, they have moved to make fixing a criminal offense, and the legislation has passed the first round of voting.
The new law will make match-fixing a crime that is punishable by up to seven years in prison. This week, it has passed its first vote, and there are two more to go before the bill becomes a law. The decision to introduce the legislation seems to have been sparked by Lou Vincent’s involvement in match-fixing scandals.
On July 1, 2014, the former cricketer was banned for life from the game for accepting money to help fix matches on several occasions. "Match-fixing is a growing problem internationally and has been described as the number one threat to the integrity, value and growth of sports," the Murray McCully, New Zealand’s Minister of Sport. "As we have seen from recent events, New Zealand is not immune to this threat.
That's why the government is taking action on this matter." The ban will not only apply to traditional sports like cricket and football; all type of athletes could face jail time for being involved in match-fixing. Racing sports, such as horseracing, motor sports and boat racing will all fall under the same law. Lawmakers hope that the law will be passed by the beginning of 2015.
This will ensure that it is in place just in time for the Cricket World Cup, which is being hosted jointly by New Zealand and Australia. New Zealand will also be hosting the FIFA Under-20 World Cup in June 2015.
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