UAE Sports Fans Can Face Fines Up To $272,000 For Unruly Behavior

Sports fans face fines of up to $272,000 for unruly behavior, "including racist insults, at sporting events in the UAE under new laws," according to ARABIAN BUSINESS. Corruption within sporting organizations and using events for political gain also now "attract harsher penalties after a decision to include them under criminal law rather than sports bodies’ codes of conduct." Corruption in sport has drawn int'l attention in recent years, "particularly amid multiple investigations into football's world governing body FIFA." UAE Prosecutor Hassan al-Hammadi said that "other crimes such as theft also would attract tougher penalties if carried out at a sporting event." Al-Hammadi said, "So if one steals at the Formula One race, because the crime was committed during a sports event they will face more stringent punishment than if they stole at any other place." The UAE state "also is considering establishing a dedicated sports court" (ARABIAN BUSINESS, 12/28).