After they were penalized for protesting the league’s dress code, superstar singer/songwriter P!nk has offered to pay the fines for the Norwegian women’s beach handball team.
At last week’s European Beach Handball Championships, the issue took place during Norway’s bronze medal match against Spain in Varna, Bulgaria . With the female athletes noting that the men’s handball team can don tank tops and shorts, the ladies team opted to wear bike shorts instead of the sport’s mandated bikini bottoms. And the officials at the European Handball Federation (EHF), which oversees the competition and reinforces the dress code, hit the team with a $1,765 (£1,283) fine for the move, citing “a case of improper clothing”.
To show her support for the team’s protest superstar singer/songwriter P!nk (born Alecia Beth Moore) joined a chorus of voices on line via Twitter on Sunday (7.25) stating: “I’m VERY proud of the Norwegian female beach handball team FOR PROTESTING THE VERY SEXIST RULES ABOUT THEIR ‘uniform’. The European handball federation SHOULD BE FINED FOR SEXISM.” “Good on ya, ladies. I’ll be happy to pay your fines for you. Keep it up.”
After the social media backlash, EHF President Michael Wiederer released a statement saying the organisation intends to revaluate the rules.
“I can confirm that the EHF will do all it can to ensure that a change of athlete uniform regulations can be implemented,” he said. “Significant efforts will be made in order to further promote the sport in the best way possible for everyone, regardless of gender.”
Officials at Norway’s Handball Federation (NHF) have previously stated that they would pay the fine.
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Author: Brad LeBeau
Photo: Andemaya