Transparency and independence. These two precepts, requirements of the World Anti-Doping Agency (WADA), guided the drafting of the latest Spanish Anti-Doping Lawwhich came to light in December 2021. A text that brought with it the creation of a Sanctioning Committee made up of seven experts who would be responsible for punishing cheaters. This prerogative passed from the federations (with high-profile scandals) to the director of the Anti-Doping Agency, now CELAD.
The transfer of responsibility has culminated by naming those seven people, which will soon start reviewing possible violations. José Luis Terreros, president of CELAD, was in charge of naming them and announced it in the Europa Press breakfasts.
The president will be Rafael Caballero Sanchez, Professor of Administrative Law at the Complutense. And he will be helped by Ana Maria Alvarez Pabloslawyer of the Cortes Generales; Miguel del Valle SotoPresident of the Spanish Society of Sports Medicine; Pedro Diaz Peralta, Professor of Toxicology and Pharmacology; two other professors of Administrative Law as Fernando Gonzalez Botija Y Marta Lora-Tamayo Vallvé Y Silvia Irene Verdugo Guzmanformer taekwondo fighter, coach, referee and professor of Criminal Law.
“They will perform their duties with full independence, not being able to receive orders from any other body or authority”Terreros account. His mandate is for four years, his sanctions will have a special appeal before the same Committee and will then be immediately executive. They will put an end to the administrative process and may be appealed before the contentious-administrative jurisdiction.
To avoid conflicts of interest and suspicions, the members of the Committee could not belong, in the two years prior to their appointment, to governing bodies of the federations, professional leagues or clubs. Nor have they advised these organizations or athletes.
CELAD will continue to be an active part in doping investigations through its Intelligence Unit, which includes the Police and Civil Guard. Y it will draw up the control plans, but it will not solve the sanctions.
In relation to controls, in 2023 CELAD has planned to carry out more (35%) out of competition, it will increase blood tests (45%) to the detriment of urine tests, it will take more samples (33%) to trace biological passports and it will launch an expanded control group of athletes with the obligation to be located for one hour a day to undergo tests.