What is TAD?
The Sports Administrative Court, known in Spanish as TAD, emerged from the consolidation of two earlier entities that had previously operated separately. One was the Spanish Sports Disciplinary Board, focused on sanctions within sport, and the other was the Election Guarantees Board, which oversaw the integrity of selection processes. By joining these bodies, the system created a single authoritative entity responsible for overseeing the legality and fairness of federative activity across Spanish sports. TAD works independently from the Governmental Sports Council and handles administrative matters that involve disciplinary files. When requested by the president of the Supreme Sports Council or by the board of directors, TAD reviews and decides on cases that touch on doping, sports discipline, and the legitimacy of selection processes conducted by Spanish sports organizations. In practice, this means TAD serves as a key guardian of procedural fairness, ensuring that sports governance adheres to established rules and that sanctions or outcomes are applied consistently across the board. This structure helps maintain confidence in how sports decisions are made and how athletes, clubs, and federations are treated under the law.
Who is TAD?
The Sports Administrative Court is composed of seven members who bring formal legal training to the bench. A president is chosen with the support of a licensed secretary, and the entire body is appointed by the board that leads the CSD. A deliberate emphasis is placed on gender balance, aiming to ensure diverse representation in its leadership. Of the seven members, four receive appointment proposals from the president of the CSD, while the remaining three are proposed by the Spanish sports federations. Each member serves a six-year term and is not eligible for immediate re-election; renewal occurs in staggered steps, roughly every three years. This design promotes continuity while allowing for periodic refreshment of experience and perspective within the court.
These are the current seven members.
- Minister: Francisco de Miguel Pajuelo (Social Security lawyer)
- Secretary: Guillermo de Blas Bados (State prosecutor)
- Vocal: Eva Fernandez, State Attorney
- Vocal: Pilar Juárez, professor at Carlos III University
- Vocal: Alfonso Ramos del Molins, State Attorney
- Vocal: Marina Adela Porta Serrano, State Attorney
- Vocal: Jaime Caravaca, State Attorney