The dispute dates back to 2024, when Meeke collected the most points in the Portuguese rally series, but the law prevented the Northern Irishman from being crowned Portuguese champion. However, in November the Supreme Constitutional Court confirmed that Meeke is the champion.
The decision ended a long-running dispute over the eligibility of foreign drivers for Portugal’s national championships. The appeal lodged by the Public Prosecutor’s Office sought to overturn the earlier ruling by the Court of Arbitration for Sport (CAS) made in favour of Meeke and the Sports & You team.
Originally, the Portuguese Automobile and Karting Federation (FPAK) did not grant Meeke the championship because he is, by birth, a British citizen. The existing rule of Portugal’s motorsport federations stipulated that only Portuguese citizens could be champions in individual disciplines. Now this matter has been decided differently by a higher authority, so it is assumed that this season’s champion Dani Sordo will also be able to celebrate the Portuguese rally championship retroactively.
The Court of Arbitration for Sport (CAS) deemed the rule in place in Portugal discriminatory and unconstitutional, as it violated the European Union’s principles of equality and freedom of movement. Although CAS had already ruled once in Meeke’s favour, the Portuguese public prosecutor’s office made one more attempt to contest the matter.
This season, Meeke and Sordo engaged in an incredible battle for the Portuguese title. Sordo managed to beat Meeke by 0.8 seconds in the season-closing rally and won the championship.
“I cannot feel disappointed or frustrated, because I gave everything. Someone has to be the winner and someone the other. I doubt any championship has ever been won by 0.8 seconds. I am super happy for Dani. We were fighting already 20 years ago, and back then he beat me in the Junior WRC,” Meeke commented after the Vidreiro Rally a month ago.
“Looking back at the season, there were many points that did not go in my favour. We dominated the whole year on gravel and were on course to win Rally Portugal as well, but the car developed a fault on the final road section. Still, I had great enjoyment from driving against a good friend.”
