British Judo given just 8 weeks’ notice by European Judo Union of cancelled European Judo Championships

The upcoming European Judo Championships have been withdrawn by the European Judo Union (EJU) following a disagreement over a partnership between British Judo and Ultimate Fighting Championship to promote and support the event.

British Judo still hopes to have the decision reversed but released the following statement to explain the current position.

British Judo, working in partnership with Glasgow Life, UK Sport, Event Scotland and Judo Scotland, had successfully bid to host the championships in June 2013, but the EJU stated in communications on Friday 13^th February to pull the event following the announcement of a partnership between British Judo and UFC who planned to support and help promote the Championships.

Andrew Scoular, British Judo Chief Executive, said: “It is with deep regret that we have to confirm this news. We have done everything we can to make the European Judo Championships a success, working tirelessly with our partners at UK Sport, Event Scotland, Glasgow Life and the EJU since being awarded the games nearly two years ago. We were excited to be in the final planning stages to deliver what would have been a fantastic celebration of judo for thousands of spectators and hundreds of athletes as well as another major sporting event for the United Kingdom and the city of Glasgow.

Following discussions with the EJU, UFC had stood down from the sponsorship to ensure we could still host the Championships. We are extremely disappointed to have had the European Judo Championships taken away from us in this way and for this reason and so following the communication with the EJU on Friday evening we have asked to meet in the hope the decision can be reversed to allow us to still deliver the event as planned.”

British Judo are in discussion with legal advisors and continue to seek direct communication with the EJU and until further notice will not be making any more statements on this matter.