Promoter suspended after series of incidents at martial arts event

The disciplinary committee for martial arts (tuchtcommissie voor de vechtsport) has suspended a promoter for one year after his martial arts event in October last year got out of hand. This organiser is held responsible for the absence of an adequate safety plan. There were also too few security staff present to maintain order. The promoter is accused of allowing the resulting problems to cast martial arts in a negative light.

Several incidents occurred during the event, which took place in Westervoort on 7 October 2023. Officials were intimidated and on two occasions visitors came to blows with each other. According to the prosecutor of the disciplinary committee, the organiser did not deliberately breach the Disciplinary Regulations (Tuchtreglement), but was negligent and careless with regard to security. Negative reporting about martial arts events damages the image of the sport, and the promoter bears responsibility for this.

After hearing the accused and various witnesses, the organiser has been suspended for a period of twelve months, six months of which are conditional. If the accused wishes to organise events again after the suspension, he will be required, up to 1 April 2026, to submit a safety plan for every event in advance, using the format of the Nederlandse Vechtsportautoriteit (the Dutch Martial Arts Authority), together with a detailed security plan to prevent such excesses in the future.

The full ruling can be found here.