Court decision on e-ticket stirs debate

ANKARA

The Constitution Court’s Nov. 12 decision that the e-ticketing system for football matches, Passolig, does not violate rights has stirred a debate on future attendance of top level games in Turkey. 

The court returned a demand by Tarafder, the joint association of fans of different clubs, on abolishment of the e-ticket practice, which they argue is against civil rights and have played a large role in the fall of attendance at football games.

However, another criticism of Passolig, which is basically a certificate-like card that all match-goers must get to buy e-tickets, was over the protection of personal data. However, the Constitution Court also ruled that a regulation item, which allows the clubs share or partly share e-ticket information with third parties, should be cancelled. 

A particular lender, Aktifbank, sells Passolig cards to fans.

Cem Cihan, the lawyer of Tarafder, told Hürriyet that the court ruling means an end to Passolig. 

“The Constitution Court has ruled that the right to sell e-tickets cannot be sold to third parties,” he said. 

“Thus, only the clubs themselves will be authorized to sell e-tickets at the entrance of the stadiums,” he said. 

Some 1 million fans have bought Passolig cards.