SPAIN Law and Practice Contributed by: Joaquín Jofre Fernández-Abascal, Jofre Sports Law
Key Regulatory Bodies The CSD is the primary government agency responsi - ble for promoting these standards and overseeing the Spanish sports system. 4.3 Sport Funding Sport in Spain is primarily funded through a combina - tion of public funds, largely directed by the Council of Ministers and the CSD, alongside private invest - ment, sponsorship and local government (municipal - ity) contributions. With over EUR2.1 billion allocated to the sports sector since 2018, the funding structure supports high-performance athletes, federations and infrastructure development, with a growing focus on women’s sport and inclusivity. Key Funding Sources and Streams Central government (CSD) The CSD is the main body, providing direct subsidies to federations, funding high-performance centres, and implementing the “Team España” strategy for elite athletes. Autonomous communities and local councils Regional governments and municipalities have a strong role in financing local sports infrastructure, grassroots initiatives and regional clubs. Private funding Sponsorship, media rights (especially in football), and individual member fees are significant, with a reported 78,690 sports clubs in 2024, many of which are par - tially self-funded. Lottery and gaming A smaller portion of funding is derived from levies on lotteries ( quiniela ) and betting, contributing to the broader sports budget. Distribution Mechanisms Elite sport and federations The CSD provides direct grants to Spanish sports fed - erations for operating costs and training. “Team España” elite strategy Substantial funding goes to specialised programmes targeting Olympic/Paralympic success and retaining technical talent.
bers, protecting them from the financial risks associ - ated with running a sports club. Compliance with regulations The choice of structure is heavily influenced by the legal requirements to participate in professional com - petitions (eg, LaLiga) versus amateur leagues. 4.2 Corporate Governance Codes Spanish sports bodies are required by Act 39/2022 to adopt specific Good Governance Codes focusing on transparency, democracy and integrity. These apply to Spanish sports federations and professional leagues, primarily to improve management, compliance and internal controls. Non-compliance can lead to disci - plinary measures under sports regulations. Key Governance Details in Spain Applicable entities The regulations apply to all members and participants within the Spanish sports system, including federa - tions, leagues and professional sports companies (SADs). Consequences of non-compliance Violations can lead to penalties under the Spanish Sports Discipline Regulations, which can include fines, suspension of members or other sanctions determined by the Consejo Superior de Deportes (CSD). Other relevant rules and director duties • Management duties: directors of SADs are held to a strict standard of liability under the Spanish Companies Act. • Specific responsibilities: managers, employees and athletes are subject to specific Criminal Code provisions regarding corruption and match-fixing. • General duties: officers of sports organisations must act with diligence, loyalty and in accordance with the law. • Insolvency penalties: while general company law applies to insolvencies, sporting regulations may impose specific disciplinary actions, includ - ing points deductions for failing to meet financial requirements set by governing bodies or leagues.
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