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The Indian government yesterday announced a new law to crack down on unfair practices in sport amid damaging allegations of spot-fixing in the Indian Premier League. |
“The government of India has decided to enact a standalone legislation to deal with unfair practices in sport. The government is committed to bring this law as soon as possible,” Law Minister Kapil Sibal told reporters.
“We cannot let down millions of fans out there for whom cricket is a passion. But the new law will not apply to cricket alone. It will apply to all sports in which unfair practices are being used to change the outcome or course of a game...”
Sibal said the new legislation would deal with dishonest practices like spot-fixing, which has been under the spotlight since three cricketers were arrested on May 16 for deliberately bowling badly in exchange for money.
“We cannot let down millions of fans out there for whom cricket is a passion. But the new law will not apply to cricket alone. It will apply to all sports in which unfair practices are being used to change the outcome or course of a game,” Sibal said.
Sibal did not specify what punishments would be handed out but said the legislation would define what constitutes criminal acts in sport. “The law will be as broad as possible to deal with corporates, bookies and players,” he said.