Royler Gracie is the head of the Gracie Humaita affiliation. He has weighed in on the controversy surrounding Andre Galvao and Team Atos. Team Atos is facing an unprecedented exodus following serious allegations against Andre and Angelica Galvao.
Royler Gracie addressed the situation in a video statement that called for accountability and the need for immediate action when accusations arise within an academy setting.
Speaking in Portuguese, Gracie outlined a clear philosophy regarding how academy owners should respond when allegations surface against instructors.
“Of course the director, the owner of the academy, when he hires the professors, he has a group of professors, and this professor did something wrong, he ends up becoming a cancer inside the academy. This cancer has to be removed immediately, regardless of what he did, whether it’s right or wrong, whether I like him or stop liking him.”
Gracie’s comments come as the Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu community processes allegations made by Alexa Herse, a former student who trained at Atos since childhood. Herse released a detailed statement in which she described a six-month period during which Galvao allegedly touched her inappropriately during training sessions and repeatedly made comments about her body and appearance.
Perhaps most troubling to many in the community, Herse stated that when she reached out to Angelica Galvao, Andre’s wife and a respected BJJ black belt whom she had viewed as a mentor since childhood, she received a response that discouraged her from speaking out. According to Herse, Angelica told her
“if it’s wrong, you have to at least act like it’s right. And don’t bite the hand that feeds you.”.
Galvao announced his intention to pursue legal action. Since then Atos HQ has removed close to 300 images featuring the Galvaos from their social media and issued a statement ‘separating’ Galvaos from their roles at Atos HQ.
Returning to Royler Gracie‘s perspective, the legendary competitor emphasized that academy owners cannot position themselves as arbiters of justice but must take allegations seriously.
“He has to be removed immediately and the academy has to continue with its course. And he will pay for what he did before justice.”
Gracie continued:
“As I said, I am not a judge, I am not a lawyer, so I cannot take the side of a professor if there is an accusation that is less serious or very serious. It has to be investigated and the woman has to have a voice for this.”
This statement represents a significant intervention in the ongoing controversy, particularly given Gracie’s stature within the sport.
The situation has already triggered a significant exodus from Team Atos, with multiple high-profile members departing the academy.
