UFC link sees Glasgow stripped of judo Euros

Kimberley and Louise Renilks pictured in February to promote the European Judo Championships - a competition that will no longer take place in Glasgow. Picture: John Devlin

A disagreement over a partnership with Ultimate Fighting Championship (UFC) to promote and support the event – due to take place from 9-12 April at the Emirates Arena – has led to the European Judo Union (EJU) making the decision.

In addition to the sponsorship partnership with UFC, the British Judo Association (BJA) had breached its contract by missing the agreed deadline to pay the event licence fee.

An EJU statement said: “The European Judo Union has come to the realisation that the British Judo Association does not fit the EJU criteria to host the EJU flagship event.

“The BJA had entered into a sponsorship agreement which did not meet the EJU values. In addition, the BJA missed the agreed deadline to pay the event licence fee, which is also a breach of contract.

“Taking all of the above into consideration...(the) EJU executive committee have unanimously taken the decision to withdraw the event from Glasgow and designate as quickly as possible an alternative host who is willing and able to stage these continental judo championships.” The British Judo Association is taking legal advice and still hopes to have the decision reversed.

Scotland enjoyed great success in judo during last year’s Commonwealth Games in Glasgow, winning 13 medals, including six golds.

A statement released last night to Scotland on Sunday by JudoScotland said: “JudoScotland are extremely disappointed to hear today that the European Championship, potentially, will not be held in Glasgow on the 9-12 April and that the event will be relocated to another city. JudoScotland are working with our partners to clarify the situation.”