The first National Sports Arbitration Congress took place in Madrid, bringing together around thirty specialists from various sports disciplines to discuss the key challenges faced by referees in ensuring the rules are upheld during competitions. The event was organised by the Canary Islands Institute of Sports Arbitration (ICAD) in collaboration with the Government of the Canary Islands.
Ángel Sabroso, the vice-counsellor for Physical Activity and Sports, inaugurated the congress alongside Alejandro Blanco, president of the Spanish Olympic Committee (COE), and Iñaki Melendro, deputy director of Sports Sciences at the Higher Sports Council. The congress marks a significant step in the Canary Islands' commitment to the training, professionalisation, and recognition of referees, judges, and sports officials.
Sabroso expressed gratitude to the COE and its president for supporting the initiative, which aims to elevate the profile of referees and provide them with necessary training and resources. He highlighted the importance of recognising the human effort behind each referee, stating, "Behind every referee is a person who strives, prepares, and often bears more pressure than they should." He called for referees to be seen as the true protagonists of the sport.
The congress also featured notable figures from Canary Islands' sports arbitration, including Alejandro Hernández Hernández, appointed for the 2026 World Cup, and Marta Huerta de Aza, the first woman to officiate a professional men's football match in Spain in 2024. They participated in discussions aimed at gathering insights and proposals from the arbitration community.
In his address, Sabroso shared his personal experiences as an international handball referee, acknowledging the challenges referees face in making split-second decisions. He expressed hope that this congress would become an annual event dedicated to the recognition and development of the arbitration community across Spain.
The congress programme, themed "The present and future of sports arbitration," focused on five key areas, including arbitration governance, the pressures referees encounter, and the need for psychological support. The inaugural lecture was delivered by José María García-Aranda, the ICAD director and former international football referee, who presented data on the current state of the arbitration community.
Since its establishment, the ICAD has implemented training initiatives covering physical and psychological preparation, communication, conflict management, and technical knowledge across a variety of sports, including sailing, traditional Canarian wrestling, equestrian sports, athletics, and adapted sports.
