Football’s justice system needs a serious shake-up. That’s the clear message from Sandra Oliveira e Silva, who heads up the Disciplinary Council for the Portuguese Football Federation. She spoke at the Portugal Football Summit, stressing the need for faster, clearer decisions. For her, making things quicker and more open is absolutely vital.
The Sports Arbitration Court, or TAD, was meant to be the quick, final word on disputes. It was supposed to be the ultimate referee in sports matters. But here’s the kicker: TAD decided it wasn’t exactly a state court. So, not allowing appeals to administrative courts would actually be unconstitutional. This loophole means a single sports case can drag through five different levels of decision. Think about it: that’s wild. If someone gets five years or less in prison, they get one appeal to a higher court, and that’s usually it. Our sports system goes way beyond that. She shared these details during a chat with Vítor Pinto, Record’s deputy director.
All these appeal steps create real headaches. First, you get more chances for different courts to rule differently on the same case. Imagine the confusion! Second, even if each court works fast, all those steps add up. It takes ages for a final ruling. Her suggestion is clear: we need to reshape TAD. It should follow what the constitution demands. This would let it truly be the final decision-maker. To do this, it can’t just be a typical arbitration court. She was quick to add, “This isn’t my personal crusade, and I’m not looking to run TAD.” Oliveira e Silva, who used to lead the League’s Instructors Commission, simply sees herself as voicing a major problem.