Spain’s Constitutional Court suspends Catalonia’s Sports Law
The Court has agreed to hear the complaint lodged by the Spanish government
BarcelonaSpain’s Constitutional Court (CC) has agreed to consider the complaint lodged by the Spanish government against Catalonia’s Sports Law, which will remain suspended until a definitive ruling is issued.
What did the Spanish government request?
In a cabinet meeting, the Spanish government agreed to file an appeal against some articles of the Catalan law that was amended in January and submit a written request for the law to be suspended temporarily.
The complaint argues that the Catalan law is in violation of Spain’s single market and claims that the Catalan government has overstepped its powers. The law makes provisions for the Catalan authorities to sign international agreements.
What does the CC have to say?
In a plenary session, the Spanish Constitutional Court agreed to consider the complaint and, in accordance with the legislation that governs this body, the Catalan law was suspended automatically for a five month period that may be extended.
The CC will inform the Spanish parliament and senate of its decision, as well as the Catalan parliament and the government of Catalonia, who will be given fifteen days to get on the case and submit a statement, if they so wish.
The Constitutional Court made a point that its agreement to hear the complaint does not mean that the Court has already taken a stand on the case, which is not due to happen for another few days.
What provisions does the suspended law make?
The Catalan Sports Law makes provisions for the Catalan authorities to sign international accords and mutual recognition agreements of sports professionals within the EU. The Spanish government believes that this exceeds Catalonia’s authority, since “it has no powers to enter into international agreements”.
The law that has been struck down regulates four kinds of sports professions: PE teachers, sporting activity leaders, trainers and sports managers, who are expected to prove that they are qualified in their field of expertise by means of the certificates listed in the amended law.
Last Thursday the Spanish Constitutional Court also agreed to hear a complaint against Catalonia’s parliamentary committee for the constituent process filed by the Spanish government as part of its legal onslaught on Catalonia’s regional government.