Overview

Until August 2011, Bulgarian criminal law did not cover bribes or other unlawful means of influencing the course or outcome of sport competitions. However, new sport crime legislation foresees punishments of up to 10 years imprisonment and up to a EUR 15,000 fine, depending on the gravity of the offence.

The laws' main aim is to criminalise sport fixing in Bulgaria and is intended to counter the increasing number of cases reported in the media of alleged agreements by which a match or race has a predetermined result. This briefing from Central European legal specialists Schoenherr gives full details.