As the future host of the 2018 World Cup, the Russian parliament passed in a second reading to a bill submitted by President Putin himself, stating that the punishement for match-fixing shall be increased to seven years in prison.
As Russia prepares for the worldwide event, the bill seeks to clean the country’s reputation in match-fixing activities. The bill stated that it is a crime for sports officials, athletes and coaches placing bets on their own sport. It also establishes prison time and a $30,000 fine to those involved in the act.
All that is left for the bill to be approved are simple formalities, as the bill now goes through a required third reading before Putin puts his final signature on it.