Turkey: average attendance in the Süper Lig halved since the introduction of the Fans Card

The average attendance of the Süper Lig (Turkish first division) is 6267 spectators after 11 matchdays in 2014-15, an figure halved compared to the average of 11,802 spectators per match for the 18 clubs of the championship in 2013- 14. This decline in attendance is mainly due to the introduction of the "Passolig" Fans Card in the first quarter of 2014.

Inspired by the Italian "tessera del tifoso" (supporters' card), the Passolig is a mandatory electronic card to obtain a match ticket in Süper Lig and the Turkish second division. It collects the personal information of the spectator and, if necessary, sends them to the appropriate authorities. This card can, in particular, help prevent the sale of tickets to fans who have been convicted of offenses of violence in stadiums. The Passolig is strongly rejected by the majority of Turkish supporters' groups, who have been boycotting stadiums since August 2014.

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• The Passolig card, introduced by the Turkish Federation, is part of the law #6222 approved…