Belgian sports journalist Ruben Van Gucht has been disqualified from the reality television program De Verraders following multiple rule infractions and conflicts over game mechanics. Host Staf Coppens confirmed the exit during the program, noting that Van Gucht broke the rules of the castle several times and could not continue.
Coppens explained that the decision was made after discussions regarding the correct application of the game rules. Van Gucht received an ultimatum following a two-day discussion on the rules, but could or would not promise to abide by them. During this time, laptops were also discovered in his room. Coppens stated: If things happen, for example due to competitiveness, that make you think it might no longer be trustworthy, then we have to make a choice. And then you cannot continue in the game in that way, even though Ruben Van Gucht is a very good sports journalist and a fantastic person. We felt it was too dangerous for the program.
Rule Infractions and Game Mechanics
Van Gucht had made things difficult from the first episode, stating, I am very competitive by nature.
. Presenter Staf Coppens previously emphasized the importance of trust in the game, stating: The Traitors is a game based on trust. At the Round Table where we choose the traitors, it is very important that you don’t just let slip a hint, for example. Then the whole game is ruined.
and As a creator and presenter, you must be able to trust the players enormously.
In the second episode, Van Gucht played a hard game by voting for himself and putting a challenge in jeopardy by arguing for half an hour about the rules and loopholes in the regulations. Following his departure, Van Gucht defended his actions, stating: I am being kicked out of the game for an alleged violation of the house rules, but I have always played according to the rules assigned to me, and if I pushed the limits, I always told my fellow contestants. How can I contact the outside world? I wasn’t online with the laptops …
Reactions from Fellow Candidates
Other participants were strict regarding Van Gucht’s behavior. Jasmijn Van Hoof remarked, I would like to call Ruben out on voting for himself. Allies must choose the group, and he did not do that.
Goedele Liekens added, It’s not working. If we’re all sitting here voting for ourselves because we aren’t sure, what are we doing? It is someone who completely disregards the rules and then openly states so. It was clear to everyone that he would be sent away or leave voluntarily. It does provide a certain peace of mind that he had to leave.
Wannes Lacroix called him stubborn, noting he was intertwined in his own game and playing a game with himself. Margriet Hermans stated, He is a real lawyer. He is trying to find procedural errors, and that is really not what we are doing, you know. That is not why we are here.
Thomas Smith described his exit as a relief that was difficult to reconcile with a group feeling. At the subsequent Round Table, Marc-Marie Huijbrechts stated that Van Gucht behaved like a spoiled toddler
after failing to become a traitor.