By David Clegg and Alan Wilson

A HIGH-PROFILE kickboxing match in Dundee had to be abandoned after a large-scale fight broke out in the audience, it emerged last night.

Police were called to the international event at the Bonar Hall—which was promoted as fostering “tolerance and understanding”—at the conclusion of the Scottish title fight between Dundonians Sean Wanless and Steve Petrie.

It is understood the brawl broke out between opposing sets of fans just moments before the winner was due to be announced on Saturday night.

But in the aftermath of the violence an official from the World Kickboxing Association (WKA) took the decision to declare the contest null and void in an effort to avoid further trouble and no winner was announced.

The revelations will cause embarrassment for organisers, who had received a £1000 cash boost from the Al-Maktoum Institute in Dundee in recognition of the way the event promoted community links.

One eyewitness said the ugly incident had “completely ruined” the night.

“It was terrible, there was some people who got over- excited and started abusing other fans,” he said.

“Chairs and champagne bottles were being flung all over the place and lots of people were jumping in to try to stop the trouble.

“It completely ruined the night for the young guys who have trained hard for weeks for this.”

Competitor Sean Wanless (26) said he had been in the ring when shouting and banter between supporters developed into “crazy” scenes.

Sean said, “The fight finished, the score cards were in and they were about to announce the winner when I looked over and all of a sudden a chair was getting thrown.

“Then there were bottles and that flying about and people just piled in. I reckon there were about 20 of them and it lasted for about 10 to 20 minutes.

“I don’t really know how it ended, but I think a few guys ended up in A&E for a couple of hours with cuts and bruises, stuff like that.

“I’ve never seen anything like it, it was crazy. It got out of hand and it’s kind of put me off a bit.

“There were kids there and some folk who came to see me have said they don’t think they’ll come back to another show.”

But when contacted by The Courier, promoter Rasmus Moeller played down the trouble, saying, “It was over before it really started.

“It was a couple of audience members that had had a bit too much to drink and caused a bit of trouble.

“Security broke it up quickly and we continued the show. It wasn’t a big deal.

“There was no decision announced because the official from the WKA didn’t want to humour the troublemakers.”

The police last night confirmed two fixed penalty notices had been issued in relation to the fracas.

A spokesman said, “Tayside Police received a report of a disturbance at the Bonar Hall, Park Place, Dundee, about 9.40pm on Saturday.

“Officers attended and conducted inquiries at the scene during which they spoke to a number of witnesses. No one wished to make a formal complaint.

“However, two men were issued with fixed penalty notices in relation to their behaviour.”

The event was organised by the Lochee Freestyle Karate/Kickboxing Club, which also runs after-school kickboxing classes.

The Al-Maktoum Institute’s community service committee, which has previously awarded grants to the club, had donated £1000.

Institute principal Professor Malory Nye said then, “We are pleased to be able to help the tournament as the club has clearly been an asset to the local community for many years, fostering tolerance and understanding through sport.”

The Courier tried to contact the Lochee club’s Arun Trivedi last night but he was unavailable for comment.