Andorran Shooting Federation President Faces Probe Over Coercion Claims

The Batllia has opened proceedings against the president of the Andorran Shooting Federation following at least five police complaints from members of the Andorran Precision Shooting Club, who allege coercion, threats, and abuse of authority. The complainants have requested a restraining order, and the complaints—together with a criminal suit—must be ratified before the Batllia in the coming weeks, where new elements will be introduced, though their criminal weight remains unclear.

The dispute centres on shooter selection criteria for the Small States Games and a lack of transparency in federation finances. Club members highlight unjustified expenses of significant scale and practices that disadvantage their club while favouring others. They claim that raising these issues prompted retaliatory pressures and irregular behaviour from the federation president.

The complaints, filed several months ago, also stem from administrative inaction. Precision Shooting Club members had informed the Sports Department well before the Small States Games, but officials prioritised the event's smooth running. To date, neither the Sports Department nor the Andorran Olympic Committee has taken action, according to club representatives. The sports minister and secretary of state received detailed reports on the anomalies; sources indicate the secretary of state encouraged formal complaints, while the Sports Department notified the Interior Ministry—given the federation's nature and the president's role as a police officer, which he allegedly invoked in intimidating messages.

Prior efforts to obtain detailed federation accounts, including expense receipts, failed, including a Batllia procedure initiated by the club. The ongoing penal action is expected to grant access to these records.

In its first public statement on the matter, the State Secretariat for Sports expressed regret over the federation's situation but declined further comment, describing it as a judicialised issue. Officials had maintained silence during the initial controversy, despite over 18 months of awareness through in-person and written contacts from club members. They previously cited a desire to avoid scandal ahead of or during the Games.

Complainants list further alleged irregularities, largely administrative: unauthorised construction works, commercial favouritism—including with gun shops, as confirmed by Altaveu reporting—and misreporting to the Andorran Social Security Fund (CASS). They also question national team selections, claiming shooters of dubious reputation have represented Andorra internationally, attracting attention from foreign federations.

Tensions are high between Precision Shooting Club leaders and the federation president, as well as the precision discipline delegate. Neither holds club membership, with the club exercising its admission rights. The president resigned on 9 January, and a later reapplication was denied. Weeks ago, he appeared at club facilities with a "violent and intimidating attitude" despite his non-member status, prompting staff to ask him to leave.

Helena Anillo has indicated that the president's resignation could be the next step amid the probe.