Cerejeira Namora Marinho Falcão wins TAD case
The Tribunal Arbitral do Desporto (TAD) has ruled that Portuguese rally driver Armindo Araújo is the rightful 2025 National Rally Champion, reversing the Portuguese Automobile and Karting Federation’s (FPAK) decision to award the title to Spanish driver Daniel Sordo. Araújo was represented by Nuno Cerejeira Namora of Cerejeira Namora Marinho Falcão.
Background of the dispute
Sordo finished first in the overall standings of the 2025 championship, with Araújo the highest-placed Portuguese driver in third. Despite no change to the applicable legislation or regulations, FPAK awarded the national title to the Spanish driver, basing its decision on a prior TAD ruling from the previous year. Araújo challenged the decision before the TAD, which found that the rule in question does not contravene either the Portuguese Constitution or European Union law. The panel also noted that FPAK lacked the authority to unilaterally disregard rules it considered unconstitutional, since only the Constitutional Court has the power to declare a rule unconstitutional with general binding effect; the earlier TAD ruling had applied only to a specific case.
The TAD warned that any other interpretation would undermine the purpose of the national title, since it would allow a foreign citizen to compete in multiple national championships and become national champion of every country in which they won the relevant competition. According to the tribunal, the criterion of territorial connection is essential to the concept of a national title.
Legal team’s reaction
Nuno Cerejeira Namora described the ruling as “both a sporting and a legal victory, characterising it as scientifically sound and courageous against arguments that any citizen, regardless of connection to Portugal, could become national champion through short competitive stays in the country”. He pointed to the principle of reciprocity, noting that Araújo could compete in Spain or the United Kingdom but could never be crowned national champion there, even if he finished first. He added that Sordo never resided in Portugal, did not compete there again, did not travel to collect the title and did not contest the arbitration proceedings despite being notified.
Araújo said he was satisfied to see the essence of the national title restored, describing the outcome as a result not just for himself but for all Portuguese athletes competing in individual sports who wanted the matter clarified.
Pending proceedings
Cerejeira Namora indicated the matter is not closed, noting that a separate annulment action is pending before the TAF (Tribunal Administrativo e Fiscal) concerning the TAD’s 2024 decision awarding the national title to Kris Meeke, as Araújo was not given the opportunity to participate in those proceedings. He said the latest TAD ruling confirms that Araújo’s arguments merit consideration.
The legal team at Cerejeira Namora Marinho Falcão was led by Nuno Cerejeira Namora and included Ricardo Maia Magalhães, Daniel Bessa de Melo and Valter Monteiro.
