European Beach Handball Championships: Norway hit with 1,500 euros swimsuit fine

July 20, 2021 | Sport

Norway have been fined 1,500 euros (£1,295) for wearing shorts rather than swimsuit bottoms at the European Beach Handball Championships. 

The European Handball Federation (EHF) said it had forced the fine in view of an instance of "ill-advised apparel". 

Norway's players wore shorts rather than two-piece bottoms during a bronze decoration match against Spain in Varna, Bulgaria. 

Norway's Handball Federation (NHF) had effectively expressed it would pay if their players were fined. 

An EHF articulation said a disciplinary commission had forced a fine of "150 euros for each player, for a sum of 1,500 euros". 

It added that Norway had played with shorts that are "not as per the competitor uniform guidelines characterized in the IHF [International Handball Federation] sea shore handball rules of the game." 

Kare Geir Lio, the head of NHF, had told news organization AFP any punishment would be paid yet added: "It's anything but a free decision inside a normalized structure. 

"The main thing is to have gear that competitors are alright with." 

Also, following the choice to fine the players, the NHF said: "We are extremely pleased with these young ladies who during the European Championships raised their voices and reported that that's it! 

"We at NHF remain behind you and backing you. Together we will keep on battling to change the standards for attire, so players can play in the garments they are alright with." 

Prior to the Championships, Norway moved toward the EHF to request consent to play in shorts yet were informed that breaks of the guidelines were deserving of fines. 

A Norwegian movement to correct the current standards will be examined by the bodies in the coming months. 

"The EHF is focused on present this subject in light of a legitimate concern for its part leagues - in any case, it should likewise be said that a difference in the standards can just occur at IHF level," said EHF representative Andrew Barringer. 

The issue has been bantered in sea shore sports circles for quite a long while as certain players discover the swimsuit both debasing and unreasonable. 

Norway's Minister for Culture and Sports, Abid Raja, tweeted after Monday's decision: "It's totally absurd - a difference in demeanor is required in the macho and moderate global universe of game." 

Leader of the Norwegian Volleyball Federation, Eirik Sordahl, was basic as well, telling public news organization NTB: "In 2021, it shouldn't be an issue."