It is well known by now that ex-Fight Sports competitor and gym owner Marcel Goncalves has admitted to the crime of sexual misconduct with a minor whilst the victim was a member of his gym.
This has obviously not been well received within the BJJ and wider martial arts community with many top names condemning both what happened, as well as the aftermath of the overall situation.
Yesterday, Cyborg took to instagram to post a fairly lengthy statement which has been generally well received. Within this statement Cyborg talks not only about the incident itself, but his plans for the Fight Sports future policy surrounding sexual misconduct.
The statement reads:
“Any worthwhile conversation starts with listening. Amidst attacks to my person character for a crime I did not commit, I have tried to listen to the criticism of myself and my organization for the poor handling of these situations.
To the victims and their families, I am sorry for my poor handling, ill prepardness and lack of poper leadership to address the horrible experience they had to go through.”
He goes on to say “This is why, having listened and learned from this, I have decided to implement, effictive immediately a ZERO TOLERANCE POLICY for all sexual abuse or sexual misconduct related incidents within our gyms”.
The rough outline of this policy is that anyone within the Fight Sports organization who is accused of sexual misconduct will be immediately suspended until a full investigation has taken place.
