Appeals procedure and possible grounds:

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WKO has an obligation to advise you about the procedure and grounds on which you can make an appeal, and to allow all relevant records of appeals to be inspected by its management panel of the World Kickboxing Organisation.

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There are 2 types of Appeal that you need to be aware of:

• Informal Appeal

• Formal Appeal 

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Formal and Informal Appeals can only be requested be requested for rules that use the 10 point must system to identify a winner. 

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Non WKO title fights and Open Championships Finals can follow the 'Informal Appeal' process and will be reviewed if the review requirements can be met'. 

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Only WKO Title Fights can be subject to the 'Formal Appeal' process, why?

 

Final result determines the champion of that division
The final determines the overall winner or titleholder, which carries the most weight in terms of outcomes, awards, and recognition.

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Because of its importance, the integrity of the final result is more likely to be challenged and therefore subject to review.

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Reviewing every elimination bout would slow down the competition significantly. Meaning the Final can be reviewed after the event and any decisions changed will not affect events running times.

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In tournaments with many competitors, allowing appeals for every match would make the event impractical to run efficiently.

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The final is often where more scrutiny and formality are applied—more experienced judges, video review, or additional oversight—because it’s the match that matters most.

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Offering review at this stage provides a safeguard against major errors when the stakes are highest.

 

Upholding the organisation’s integrity by overturning a decision when an error is identified ensures fairness, builds trust, promotes accountability, and preserves the legitimacy of the results and the organisation itself.

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What is an Informal Appeal:

An unofficial, flexible process where concerns or decisions are raised and discussed without invoking a structured, formal process.

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Characteristics:
Typically verbal or lightly documented (e.g., email or informal letter).

Handled internally by a manager, supervisor, or relevant decision-maker.

Often used as a first step before escalating to a formal process.

Aims for a quick resolution through discussion or clarification.

 

Example:
A wrong decision on a none title fight that would like a second opinion on

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If you are unhappy with any aspect of your bout decision, you should discuss this initially with the attending WKO Chief Official in the first instance..

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At this stage your appeal will be heard initially.

 

The Chief Official will collate findings and notify the WKO Country national President who will carry out an investigation If an error has been identified from evidence collated.

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Only HD professionally filmed footage can be used in the basis of an informal appeal in regard a review of bouts outcome in that it may have been an incorrect decision. The decision can only be reviewed against the stipulated scoring criteria designed to award a clear winner of that specific rules set. 

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We aim to resolve any and all problems at this level within 7 days of the informal appeal being made. If not, you should contact the WKO World President Jon Green to advise that you wish to make an appeal and you must submit your appeal in writing to:

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Email: president@worldkickboxingorganisation.org

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Appeals must be made within 7 DAYS of the date of the event that you first raised the issue with the WKO Chief Official.

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The grounds on which you can appeal are based on the contravention of any of the criteria for the judges  decision and where this has resulted in you being treated unfairly through potential bias or flawed decision making in line with the specific rules of the bout bein contested.​​

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What is a Formal Appeal:

A structured and documented process used when a person wants to officially challenge a decision, usually after an informal route has been exhausted or bypassed.

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Characteristics:
Requires a written appeal outlining the reasons for the challenge.

Involves following WKO policy or timelines (e.g., submit within 7 working days).

Includes a review panel, or official response.

Outcome is recorded formally and can be final with no further escalation.

 

Here are some examples of grounds for a Formal Appeal:

• Mandatory 8 Counts not issued

• Mandatory 8 counts not scored

• Inadequate resources - for example, inappropriate or insufficient physical resources, or inexperienced and unqualified staff

• More than 1 judge from opponents team

• Fouls and Warnings not issued

• Round time insufficient

• Rest time insufficient

• Protective equipment insufficient

• Illegal wrapping of hands

• Over use of illegal technique

 

The above list is not exhaustive but is a guide of why you may feel you may have grounds to appeal.

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WKO appeal fee is £150 which goes towards paying independent judges to review fight footage who will  make fair and  unbiassed decision based on what they see.

 

They will supply a rationale for their decision if they support the original decision or have a view to over turn due to mistake made or indeed potential bias.

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Payment of £150 must also be followed by supplying of high definition quality video footage of the fight.

 

Mobile phone footage will NOT! be accepted.

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Payment of £150 + High quality Footage + Formal written appeal must be received prior to any appeal being taken forwards, and within 7 days of the bout taking place.

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If your appeal is forwarded to the panel of the World Kickboxing Organisation, their decision will be final.

 

You will receive notification of any decisions from the WKO if your appeal is agreed your £150 will be refunded to you.

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WKO Apologises in the first instance that you feel you may have grounds to appeal and all steps will be carried out to right any wrongs on your behalf.

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Where possible rematches and mandatory 1st defence can be initiated if in the best interests of all involved.

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Yours in Sport

Jon Green 7th Dan

WKO World President