Official Announcement: Professional Accountability & The Human Element !
The World Kickboxing Network wishes to reaffirm its global policy regarding the professional responsibility of technical officials across all five continents.
The Human Factor in Combat Sports
Our sports are organized and officiated by men and women, not robots. Because of this, we recognize that perfection is not always possible. Judging a fight is an incredibly demanding task that requires split-second decisions in a high-pressure environment. While these decisions involve a level of human judgment that may not always reach a universal consensus, it is essential to respect the work of those in the ring and at ringside.
*Integrity and Fair Play: Proposing Solutions
The WKN World Office remains committed to the integrity of the sport. In cases where judging issues are proven or questionable, we do not bypass our rules to change a result after the event. Instead, through our National Coordinators, we work to propose serious and fair solutions. This may include the possibility of a rematch or another opportunity to compete for a title, ensuring that the spirit of sport and fair play is always upheld.
*Individual Accountability
Our global rules are built on the principle of total accountability. Every official judge, referee, or supervisor is personally responsible for their work. The federation provides the regulatory framework, but the officials are responsible for their performance and their decisions.
*The Role of the Supervisor and On-Site Decisions
In accordance with our official statutes, any dispute or claim regarding a result must be handled exclusively on-site, on the day of the event. The WKN Supervisor is the authority responsible for reviewing decisions at the venue in cooperation and full respect with the National Commission in charge of the event. No result can be modified unilaterally if the responsible National Commission does not agree with the decision. Once the event is over and results are officially announced, they become final and irrevocable.
In cases of serious professional misconduct or major officiating failures, referees, judges, and supervisors may be subject to disciplinary action, including suspension by the WKN.
By empowering our officials and working with our national coordinators to find professional solutions, we maintain the excellence that defines the WKN worldwide.