A body corporate known as the Sports Integrity Unit is now included in the bill to provide for the prevention of corruption in sport.
This was agreed by both the government and opposition representatives at a committee meeting to discuss the bill.
Amongst its numerous functions, the unit shall collect and analyse information about suspected cases of manipulation of sports events. It will also act as an information hub and to coordinate the fight against sports corruption.
It will also be the primary point of contact for the police and sports organisations as well as provide assistance to the police in criminal cases.
The bill also includes harsher penalties for those engaging in sports corruption including a prison term of up to three years and a fine of up to €30,000. Any person who has knowledge of sports corruption has a duty to report it and will be liable to an offence if he fails to do so.
People close to the sport including athletes, employees of SportMalta and club officials caught of manipulation of a sporting event, apart from other aggravating circumstances, are liable to even more stringent penalties, facing imprisonment of up to five years.
Furthermore, anyone found guilty of such an offence cannot receive a suspended sentence and will not be allowed to participate or attend any sporting event for ten years.