Two disciplinary proceedings against sports violence have been announced

The Directorate of Games and Spectacles, an organ under the Security Department of the Basque Government, has initiated two sanctioning proceedings in the area of violence, racism, xenophobia, and intolerance against sports. Both notices were published in the Official Gazette of the Basque Country (BOPV) number 167, on September 2, 2026, with official references 2026/3771 and 2026/3772.

The first notifies the initiation of a sanctioning proceeding, and the second, in turn, a proposed resolution. In both cases, after individual notification to the interested parties proved unsuccessful, notification is being made via public notice, in accordance with Article 44 of Law 39/2015 on Common Administrative Procedure.

Purpose and Legal Framework of the Proceedings

Both procedures are being processed under the protection of Law 19/2007, of July 11, 2007, against violence, racism, xenophobia, and intolerance in sports. This law establishes its own sanctioning regime for behaviors occurring at sporting events, and the Directorate of Games and Spectacles is responsible for processing the proceedings.

The head of the Directorate is Nerea Alday Garate, who signed both notices on August 25, 2026, in Vitoria-Gasteiz. The notifications will take effect from the day following their publication in the Official State Gazette.

Initiation Proceeding and Proposed Resolution

Through notice 2026/3771, the initiation of a sanctioning proceeding is notified, with reference SV-20-2026-44-D. The proceeding was initiated on June 12, 2026, and it is stated that the events occurred on August 24, 2025. The interested party holds ID (NAN) 34095336K.

Notice 2026/3772, on the other hand, notifies the proposed resolution of proceeding SV-99-2025-144-D. In that case, the events occurred on May 3, 2025, and the proposed resolution was made on June 23, 2026. The interested party holds ID (NAN) 06611001L.

Deadlines for Submitting Allegations

In both procedures, the interested parties have a period of 10 business days to submit allegations, as well as, if applicable, to propose evidence they wish to use in the procedure. The period will be counted from the day following the publication in the Official State Gazette.

During this period, the interested parties may consult the file and obtain copies of the documents contained therein at the Directorate of Games and Spectacles, located at Donostia-San Sebastián Street 1, Vitoria-Gasteiz. In the case of the initiation, if no allegations are submitted within that period, the initiation resolution will be understood as the proposed resolution, according to Article 64.2 of Law 39/2015.

Importance of the Sanctioning Procedure

These advertisements are examples of the public processing of sanctioning procedures in the sports field, and they guarantee the protection of the rights of interested parties and the transparency of the procedure. When notification cannot be made through individual channels, notification via advertisement is the tool used by the administration to carry out the procedure and provide the interested party with the opportunity to make allegations.

These sanctioning procedures reflect the practical application of Law 19/2007, and demonstrate the active stance of the administration against behaviors that cause violence, racism, and xenophobia at sporting events. If the interested parties do not meet the deadline, the procedure will continue, and, ultimately, a sanctioning resolution will be issued.

Source: Official Gazette of the Basque Country, number 167, 2026-09-02, section I (official reference: 2026/3771 and 2026/3772).