What is Law No. 6222?

Law No. 6222, under its full name Law on the Prevention of Violence and Disorder in Sports, is a special criminal law regulation enacted to ensure security in sports competitions, prevent violence and disorder, and determine the obligations of fans and sports clubs.

This law specifically regulates; incidents occurring in football primarily, as well as in basketball, volleyball and other sports competitions such as;

 

• • acts of violence,
  • insulting behaviors,
  • acts of threat,
  • pitch invasion,
  • use of prohibited substances,
  • disorderly conduct in sports venues,
  • actions by fan groups that disrupt public order,

 

.

Law No. 6222 does not only cover incidents occurring inside the stadium, can also encompass social media posts and digital communication activities connected to sports competitions in certain circumstances.

Therefore, Law No. 6222 entails significant legal consequences for fans, club executives, athletes, and event organizers.

 

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What is the Purpose of Law No. 6222?

The primary purpose of Law No. 6222 is to ensure that sports competitions are conducted in a safe, orderly environment free from violence.

The specific objectives of the Law can be stated as:

 

• • preventing violence in the stands,
  • preventing conflicts between fan groups,
  • maintaining public order in sports venues,
  • ensuring the secure conduct of sports organizations,

 

as expressed above.

With this Law, not only fans but also;

 

• • of sports clubs,
  • of club executives,
  • of organization officials,
  • of security units,

 

are also regulated with various responsibilities.

 

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In Which Situations Does Law No. 6222 Apply?

Law No. 6222 does not apply solely to incidents occurring in the stands during a match.

Some actions that may be evaluated within the scope of the Law include:

 

• • Fighting in the sports area,
  • Making threats or insults directed at opposing team fans,
  • Throwing foreign objects onto the field,
  • Entering the field,
  • Possessing prohibited substances,
  • Damaging sports facilities,
  • Making statements that incite violence,
  • Making insults or threats related to a sports competition via social media.

 

The crucial point here is whether the act committed is connected to the sports competition..

Not every insult or every social media post is automatically evaluated within the scope of Law No. 6222. The specific circumstances of the case, the expressions used, the purpose of the post, and its connection to the sports organization are examined together.

 

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Which Offenses Are Regulated Under Law No. 6222?

Law No. 6222 specifically regulates many different acts.

The most common types of offenses are as follows:

 

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The Offense of Bringing and Possessing Prohibited Substances in Sports Venues

Bringing certain substances that threaten safety into stadiums or sports venues during sports competitions is regulated as an offense under Law No. 6222.

In particular;

 

• • flammable substances,
  • explosive substances,
  • cutting or piercing instruments,
  • items that may pose a danger in sports venues,

 

may be evaluated within this scope.

However, in practice, it cannot be said that every item automatically constitutes a crime.

The courts evaluate:

 

• • the nature of the item,
  • its intended use,
  • evaluate in detail the person's intent,
  • the manner in which the incident occurred,

 

evaluates.

For example, bringing an item intended for daily use into a sports venue is not evaluated in the same manner as possessing a tool intended to cause direct harm.

 

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Crime of Entering the Field (Unauthorized Entry into a Sports Venue)

One of the most common acts under Law No. 6222 is entering the field of play.

If a spectator;

 

• • enters the field while the game is ongoing,
  • accesses the competition area,
  • approaches athletes or referees,

 

it may give rise to criminal liability.

One of the crucial considerations in crimes involving unauthorized entry onto the field is whether the individual's act genuinely constitutes unlawful entry into a sports venue.

For example;

 

• • actions performed for celebration purposes,
  • guidance by a security officer,
  • entering a restricted area by mistake,

 

such circumstances must be separately evaluated within the scope of the specific incident.

 

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The Crime of Insulting in Sports Competitions and the Law No. 6222

Insulting chants or words in sports competitions are among the most frequently encountered issues in practice.

Insult;

 

• • may be directed at a specific individual,
  • may be directed at a team or a fan group,
  • may be directed at public officials.

 

However, not every negative expression automatically constitutes a crime.

The boundary between freedom of expression and defamation is crucial in criminal law.

While making their assessment, the courts;

 

• • the words used,
  • environment,
  • the nature of the supporter's behavior,
  • the targeted person,

 

takes into consideration.

 

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Crime of Threat Under Law No. 6222

During sports competitions or in connection with sports;

 

• • threat of harm to a person,
  • statements that will pit supporter groups against each other,
  • statements inciting violence,

 

may give rise to criminal liability.

Particularly those made via social media;

 

• • “let's harm this person”,
  • “attack this group”,

 

such explicit calls may lead to serious legal consequences.

 

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Do Social Media Posts Fall Within the Scope of Law No. 6222?

Today, this is one of the most frequently inquired topics.

Yes, in certain circumstances, social media posts may be evaluated within the scope of Law No. 6222.

However, for this to occur, the post must possess elements such as;

 

• • being connected to a sports competition,
  • inciting violence or disorder,
  • constituting a crime directed at specific individuals,

 

or similar elements.

For example;

 

• • posts containing threats directed at opposing team fans after a match,
  • fan organizations inciting violence,
  • severe insults directed at sports officials,

 

may be subject to criminal investigation.

On the other hand;

 

• • team criticism,
  • sports commentary,
  • harsh statements remaining within the bounds of criticism,

 

may not constitute a crime on their own.

 

What is the Ban on Spectating Sports Competitions under Law No. 6222?

One of the most important sanctions within the scope of Law No. 6222 is the measure of being banned from attending sports competitions (ban on entering sports competitions) .

This measure refers to preventing individuals deemed to have committed certain offenses from entering areas where sports competitions are held for a specified period.

In practice, this procedure is colloquially known as;

 

• • the Passolig ban,
  • ban on attending matches,
  • stadium ban,
  • Law No. 6222 ban

 

is referred to as.

However, from a legal perspective, this practice is not merely an administrative action. It is a special security measure applied within the scope of a criminal investigation and prosecution.

 

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How is a Ban on Attending Sports Competitions Imposed?

Within the scope of Law No. 6222, a ban on attending sports competitions may arise in different ways.

In particular;

 

• • individuals under investigation,
  • individuals alleged to have committed crimes in sports venues,
  • fans identified by law enforcement officers,

 

a tracking and control mechanism via the electronic ticket system may be applied against them.

In order for an entry ban to be imposed on an individual, generally;

 

• • law enforcement reports,
  • camera footage,
  • photographic records,
  • witness statements,
  • social media content,

 

such evidence is evaluated.

However, the mere existence of a law enforcement report does not always constitute definitive and sufficient evidence. In criminal proceedings, the individual's act must be demonstrated with concrete evidence.

 

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What is a Passolig Ban?

The practice, commonly known among the public as the “Passolig ban,” is the prevention of an individual from entering sports competitions through the electronic ticketing system.

Through the electronic ticketing system;

 

• • the individual's identity information,
  • ticket usage,
  • stadium entry movements,

 

can be monitored.

The purpose of this system is explained as;

 

• • identifying individuals previously involved in incidents,
  • enhancing security in sports venues,
  • preventing acts of violence,

 

.

However, in practice, issues such as;

 

• • misidentification of individuals,
  • misinterpretation of footage,
  • failure to determine individual liability in mass supporter incidents,

 

may occasionally occur.

For this reason, it is important for individuals subject to a ban on entering sports venues to evaluate their legal remedies.

 

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How Long Does a Ban on Entering Sports Competitions Last?

The duration of the ban on entering sports competitions applied within the scope of 6222 varies depending on the nature of the incident and the court's evaluation.

When determining the duration of the ban;

 

• • the alleged crime,
  • the person's background,
  • the manner in which the incident occurred,
  • the risk it poses in terms of public security,

 

are taken into consideration.

The same duration is not automatically applied in every case.

Furthermore, in the event that the person is acquitted as a result of criminal proceedings or a decision of non-prosecution is rendered, the legal status of the applied measure must be separately evaluated.

 

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How are Evidences Evaluated Within the Scope of Law No. 6222?

Evidence evaluation holds great importance in criminal investigations under Law No. 6222.

In particular, the following evidence is frequently utilized:

 

1. Camera Footage

Stadium security cameras are among the most crucial pieces of evidence in identifying supporters.

However, when evaluating the footage;

 

• • whether the person is clearly identified,
  • whether the footage is uninterrupted,
  • whether the act truly belongs to the individual,

 

must be examined.

It is not possible to punish a person solely for being part of a crowd without any concrete act.

 

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2. Law Enforcement Reports

Reports drafted by police or security officers are frequently used in practice.

However, in criminal law;

“the drafting of a police report alone does not constitute grounds for a definitive conviction.”

The report's;

 

• • consistency with the incident,
  • whether it is supported by other evidence,
  • the manner in which it was drafted,

 

evaluated by the court.

 

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3. Social Media Records

In actions taking place via social media;

 

• • screenshots,
  • user information,
  • IP logs,
  • digital examination reports,

 

may gain importance.

However, liability regarding an individual cannot be established directly solely through a post from an anonymous account.

The connection between the individual and the post must be demonstrated.

 

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How to Prepare a Defense in a Lawsuit Under Law No. 6222?

An effective defense in criminal investigations within the scope of Law No. 6222 requires the evaluation of the incident in all its aspects.

The following issues are of particular importance in the defense:

 

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Stating that the Act Does Not Belong to the Individual

One of the most common problems in crowded sports organizations is the misidentification of the perpetrator of the incident.

For example;

 

• • individuals wearing the same team jersey,
  • supporters with similar physical characteristics,
  • crowded grandstand footage,

 

may lead to erroneous evaluations.

In this case, it must be concretely demonstrated which act the individual committed.

 

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Absence of the Element of Intent

As a rule in criminal law, an individual must be culpable in order to be penalized.

For example;

 

• • inadvertently approaching a restricted area,
  • acting under the influence of the crowd,
  • behaviors that may be misunderstood but do not constitute a crime,

 

must be evaluated separately.

 

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Insufficient Evidence

one of the fundamental principles of criminal adjudication in dubio pro reo is the principle.

If the individual's commission of the crime cannot be established with conclusive and convincing evidence, a conviction must not be rendered.

Therefore;

 

• • insufficiency of the footage,
  • the ambiguity of the identification,
  • the contradictory nature of the witness statements,

 

is of importance to the defense.

 

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Can a HAGB Decision Be Rendered Under Law No. 6222?

In practice, one of the subjects that fans wonder about the most is the effect of sentences rendered within the scope of 6222 on criminal records.

If the conditions are met;

 

• • suspension of the announcement of the verdict (HAGB),
  • suspension of the sentence,
  • conversion into alternative sanctions,

 

such legal mechanisms may come into question.

However, for this;

 

• • the amount of the sentence imposed,
  • the criminal record of the accused,
  • the evaluation of the court,

 

is important.

In the event that an HAGB decision is rendered, the individual is subjected to a specific probation period, and if the conditions are not violated, the verdict is not announced.

 

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Does the Law No. 6222 Appear on the Criminal Record?

The outcome of each decision rendered within the scope of Law No. 6222 varies.

For example;

 

• • acquittal decision,
  • decision not to prosecute,
  • An HAGB decision,
  • finalized conviction,

 

produce different legal consequences.

Therefore, the mere initiation of an investigation does not constitute a finalized entry on a person's criminal record.

 

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Liability of Clubs Within the Scope of Law No. 6222

Law No. 6222 concerns not only sports fans but also sports clubs.

Clubs;

 

• • have various obligations regarding taking security measures,
  • controlling supporter organizations,
  • ensuring order in sports venues,

 

.

For clubs;

 

• • fines,
  • playing matches behind closed doors,
  • stadium bans,
  • administrative sanctions,

 

and similar consequences may arise.

Particularly in incidents occurring in the stands, the issue of clubs' “liability for supporter actions” constitutes a significant area of debate in sports law.

 

Penalties and Applied Sanctions under Law No. 6222

Law No. 6222 Law on the Prevention of Violence and Disorder in Sports, provides for special sanctions for many different acts in order to ensure safety in sports competitions.

The sanctions that may be imposed under this law are not limited to imprisonment alone. Depending on the nature of the specific case;

 

• • imprisonment,
  • judicial fines,
  • ban from attending sports competitions,
  • prevention of electronic ticket usage,
  • administrative sanctions for clubs,

 

may come up.

However, in order for a person to be penalized under Law No. 6222, first of all, all elements of the crime defined in the law must be realized .

Pursuant to the fundamental principles of criminal law;

 

• • the crime being explicitly provided for by law,
  • establishing through definitive evidence that the perpetrator committed the act,
  • evaluating the presence of intent or negligence,

 

and enacted.

 

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The Offense of Insult and Its Penalty under Law No. 6222

Insults in sports competitions are among the most frequently encountered acts within the scope of Law No. 6222 in practice.

In particular;

 

• • insults directed at the referee,
  • insults directed at players or the coaching staff,
  • profane chants directed at opposing team supporters,

 

may be subject to criminal investigation.

However, the crucial point here is that not every rude remark or negative expression automatically constitutes a crime.

In terms of criminal law;

 

• • the meaning of the statement,
  • the context in which it was uttered,
  • the person targeted,
  • the limits of freedom of expression,

 

should be evaluated together.

While certain harsh expressions used in a sports environment are evaluated within the scope of fan culture, derogatory statements directly targeting personal rights may constitute the crime of defamation.

 

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Can Penalties Be Imposed Due to Fan Chants?

Chants performed collectively by fans require special evaluation under Law No. 6222.

In particular;

 

• • profane chants directed at a specific individual,
  • discriminatory expressions,
  • slogans inciting violence,

 

may entail legal consequences.

However, it is crucial to determine an individual's personal responsibility in collective actions.

Merely being present in the stands;

 

• • that they are the person who committed the insult,
  • that they participated in the act of violence,
  • that they aided and abetted the crime,

 

does not solely demonstrate.

Criminal liability is personal.

Therefore, it is necessary to establish which specific act the individual actually committed.

 

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The Crime of Incitement to Violence Under Law No. 6222

Behaviors that increase violence in sports competitions or direct supporters to commit crimes may entail serious consequences under Law No. 6222.

In particular;

 

• • calling for attacks against rival team supporters,
  • inciting the stands to fight,
  • encouraging mass disturbances within the sports venue,

 

may give rise to criminal liability.

The crucial factor in such offenses is the causal link between the expression and the resulting outcome.

Not every harsh criticism or fan reaction can be deemed an incitement to violence.

The courts evaluate:

 

• • the nature of the expressions used,
  • the target of the post or discourse,
  • the events that took place,
  • the perpetrator's intent,

 

The principle of proportionality.

 

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Property Damage in Sports Fields and Law No. 6222

During sports competitions;

 

• • breaking of seats,
  • causing damage to facilities,
  • destruction of advertising boards,
  • causing damage to club equipment,

 

may be evaluated both within the scope of Law No. 6222 and the provisions of the Turkish Penal Code.

In crimes of criminal damage to property;

 

• • the nature of the damaged property,
  • the amount of damage incurred,
  • the intent of the perpetrator,

 

is important.

Particularly in mass incidents, identifying the actual perpetrator is one of the most critical aspects of criminal prosecution.

 

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Regulations Regarding Narcotic Substances Under Law No. 6222

Bringing, possessing, or using narcotic or psychotropic substances in sports venues may entail severe sanctions.

In this context;

 

• • the type of substance,
  • the quantity,
  • the intended use,
  • the individual's action,

 

are examined in detail.

Since the relevant provisions of the Turkish Penal Code may also apply with respect to narcotic substances, the incident may not remain exclusively within the scope of Law No. 6222.

 

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Factors Leading to Acquittal in Law No. 6222 Cases

Courts do not always issue convictions in cases within the scope of Law No. 6222.

Acquittals may particularly come into question in the following circumstances:

 

1. Inability to Conclusively Identify the Perpetrator

One of the most significant challenges in incidents occurring in crowded stands is the identification of the perpetrator.

In the event that camera footage;

 

• • fails to clearly show the person,
  • the image quality is insufficient,
  • the person cannot be identified,

 

it may be accepted that there is insufficient evidence for a conviction.

 

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2. The Act Not Constituting the Elements of a Crime

Although certain behaviors may draw backlash, they may not constitute a crime under criminal law.

For example;

 

• • sporting criticism,
  • reactions directed at the team,
  • harsh statements not containing insults,

 

may be evaluated within the scope of freedom of expression.

 

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3. The Principle of In Dubio Pro Reo (The Defendant Benefits from the Doubt)

One of the fundamental principles in criminal proceedings is;

“that a person cannot be punished if it is not definitively proven that they committed the crime”

is the principle.

Therefore;

 

• • contradictory evidence,
  • insufficient footage,
  • non-definitive findings,

 

must be interpreted in favor of the accused.

 

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Why is Legal Representation Important in Law No. 6222 Cases?

Although cases within the scope of Law No. 6222 may seem like simple sports fan incidents, they can lead to serious consequences.

In particular;

 

• • ban from attending sports competitions,
  • criminal record,
  • risk of imprisonment,
  • disciplinary consequences for public officials,

 

can affect an individual's future.

Therefore, starting from the initial stage of the investigation;

 

• • examination of evidence,
  • requesting camera records,
  • making the legal characterization,
  • preparing an effective defense,

 

is of great importance.

 

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Istanbul Law No. 6222 Lawyer Support

Due to the high concentration of major sports organizations in Istanbul, numerous investigations and lawsuits are conducted within the scope of Law No. 6222.

Due to incidents occurring during the matches of Beşiktaş, Fenerbahçe, Galatasaray, and other sports clubs;

 

• • criminal investigation concerning the fan,
  • ban from attending sports competitions,
  • prosecutorial investigation,
  • criminal case,

 

proceedings may arise.

In these proceedings, it is important to seek support from a lawyer experienced in criminal law to protect the individual's rights.

 

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Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ) Regarding Law No. 6222

 

What does Law No. 6222 regulate?

Law No. 6222 was enacted to prevent violence and irregularities in sports competitions, ensure fan safety, and sanction certain offenses committed within sports venues.

 

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Will a person convicted under Law No. 6222 go to prison?

It varies depending on the specific circumstances of the case, the amount of the sentence imposed, and the court's evaluation. In some cases, different legal consequences may apply instead of imprisonment.

 

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How is the Passolig ban lifted?

The legal status regarding the ban on attending sports competitions can be evaluated within the criminal proceedings or through relevant legal remedies, depending on the nature of the incident.

 

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Is uttering profanity in the stadium a crime?

Depending on the content of the statement, the target person, and the circumstances of the incident, it may constitute a crime. Not every profane expression is automatically evaluated in the same manner.

 

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Can a lawsuit be filed under Law No. 6222 due to a social media post?

Yes, social media posts related to sports competitions and containing elements of a crime may become the subject of an investigation.

 

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Is simply being in the stands during a match a crime?

No. Criminal liability is personal. The specific unlawful act committed by the individual must be established.

 

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Does a violation of Law No. 6222 appear on the criminal record?

Finalized convictions may produce legal consequences regarding criminal records. However, investigation or acquittal decisions do not produce the same effect.

 

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Conclusion: Know Your Legal Rights Within the Scope of Law No. 6222

Law No. 6222 Law on the Prevention of Violence and Disorder in Sports, contains important regulations to ensure security in sports competitions.

However, during the application of this law;

 

• • misidentification of individuals,
  • insufficient evidence,
  • exceeding the limits of freedom of expression,
  • failure to determine personal liability,

 

many legal issues such as these may arise.

For a person subject to proceedings within the scope of 6222;

 

• • exercising their rights starting from the investigation phase,
  • evaluating the evidence,
  • making an effective defense,

 

is of great importance for a fair outcome.

Receiving professional legal support in criminal investigations related to sports competitions and lawsuits within the scope of Law No. 6222 helps prevent loss of rights.

Atty. Batın YILMAZ