Not complying with the uniform regulation during the European Championship Game, the Norwegian women's beach handball team has been fined 150 euros (RM749) each for "improper clothing" in the bronze medal game against Spain after opting to wear shorts instead of bikini bottoms.
Based on the International Handball Federation (IHF) regulations, female athletes must wear bikini bottoms with a maximum side width of 10 centimetres, with a "close fit" and "cut on an upward angle toward the top of the leg."
On the other hand, men must wear shorts that are "not too baggy" and 10 centimetres above the kneecap.
According to the team’s coach, Eskil Berg Andreassen, this uniform regulation could turn women away from the sport, including those from majority Muslim countries.
The team was aware of the fine as they have been fighting for the right to wear alternative for "several years."
“The uniform regulations are a difficult thing for many players. Maybe they will move away from the sport, and choose another sport."
He added that the Norwegian team want women to have the freedom to choose what they wear, even uniforms that cover "most of the body."
"It should be possible to choose -- not to say that they have to play like this. If someone wants to play in bikini bottoms, they have the right to choose," he said.
The Norwegian Handball Association (NHF) Twitted on Tuesday: "We are very proud of these girls who during the European Championships raised their voices and announced that ENOUGH IS ENOUGH."
Vi er kjempestolte over disse jentene som under EM hevet stemmen og ga beskjed om at NOK ER NOK! Vi i NHF står bak dere og støtter dere. Sammen skal vi fortsette å kjempe for å endre regelverket for bekledning, slik at spillerne får spille i det tøyet de er komfortable med! pic.twitter.com/MmfiMtVz2Q
— Norges Håndballforbund (@NORhandball) July 20, 2021
"We at NHF stand behind and support you. Together we will continue to fight to change the clothing regulations so that players are allowed to play in the clothes they are comfortable with," the NHF added.
The IHF and the European Handball Federation (EHF) said in a joint statement that they "are committed to popularising beach handball. All contributions in that respect and measures that will support the ambitions of this attractive sport are supported."
The federations expressed that the discussion on female uniforms had already been discussed at the EHF Congress in April 2021, and would be dealt with by the newly elected Beach Handball Commission in August. - Agencies, 21 July, 2021
