AIBA Disciplinary Commission Lifts Suspension of Dutch Boxing Association

15.03.2011

Lausanne, March 15, 2011 - The AIBA Disciplinary Commission today lifted the provisional suspension of the Dutch Boxing Association after completing its investigation into irregularities and rule violations related to the organization of the so-called Final Four tournament last year. The Dutch Boxing Association is sanctioned with a fine of 2000 Swiss francs, plus 1000 Swiss francs costs.

The disciplinary procedure was initiated on February 24, 2011 based on a submission from the AIBA Executive Committee Bureau. The procedure related to the organization of a competition - the "Final Four" on 3 April 2010 - involving amateur, professional and kick boxers, without the use of headguards or vests and in spite of a warning from AIBA.

The Dutch Boxing Association (DBA) wrote directly to AIBA on February 24, 2011 to explain that the "Final Four" was organized as a pilot event and that the DBA was not aware of any warning from AIBA. The DBA believed that the initiative was in line with the developments within AIBA, based on the existence of the World Series of Boxing. The DBA Board admitted in the letter that they had made a major mistake in their judgments.

In correspondences between the Dutch Olympic Committee and AIBA's President C.K. Wu, the Olympic Committee explained the problems regarding the recent history of the DBA, which had led it to intervene and install a new Board, consisting of newcomers to the world of sport. The warning regarding the "Final Four" had been sent to the previous DBA President, who had only shared the information with selected persons. The Board was therefore unaware of the warning. On behalf of the Dutch boxing family, the National Olympic Committee apologized for the trouble caused. AIBA has also asked the President of the Dutch Olympic Committee to meet with the AIBA President to discuss the situation of boxing in the Netherlands and in particular the Dutch Boxing Association's situation.

In a submission of March 7, 2011 the DBA fully recognized that "it has committed a serious violation of the AIBA Technical & Competition Rules and Ethics Code". Measures have since been taken to ensure that such problems will not occur in future and the DBA is preparing a statement for its website, in Dutch and English, to report the mistake made and state its apologies to AIBA and the world of boxing.

The AIBA Disciplinary Commission recognized that, while the organization of the Final Four tournament had violated a number of AIBA rules, there were certain mitigating circumstances given the difficult situation faced by the DBA at the time and the fact that they were unaware of AIBA's warning.

The Final Four event was cancelled once the new Board was made aware of the problems created by such an event. The DBA has repeatedly apologized for what happened and taken measures to be able, in the future, to fully respect the AIBA regulations and decisions.

The AIBA Disciplinary Commission concluded that, "Under these circumstances, suspending all boxers, coaches and officials of a National Association for the behaviour of some persons would be grossly disproportionate and a fine shall be imposed, being the adequate sanction."

The provisional suspension of the DBA imposed on 23 February 2011 is therefore lifted and the DBA shall be sanctioned by a fine of 2000 Swiss francs with 1000 Swiss francs costs.