Handball Federation Changes Uniform Rules After Bikini Row

BoomRadioNG | November 2, 2021

The International Handball Federation (IHF) has changed its uniform rules after it was criticized for requiring female beach players to wear bikinis. The governing authority had been under pressure since a row over its dress code erupted at the European championships in July.

Norway’s female team were fined €1,500 (£1,269; $1,737) after their players wore shorts instead of bikini bottoms. The fine was branded sexist and led to calls to scrap mandatory clothing.

US pop star Pink said she was proud of the team and offered to pay the fines. In IHF’s latest beach handball rule book, dated 3 October, there was no mention of bikinis.

Norway’s female team
photo credit: EuropeanHandballFederation
https://www.facebook.com/EuropeanHandballFederation/photos/2862059697440847

The updated rules say female beach handball players can now wear “body fit” tank tops and ” short tight pants”, as opposed to crop tops and bikini bottoms.

Male athletes are allowed to wear shorts that are “not too baggy” but must remain 10cm (3.9in) above the kneecap.

Paul Ayorinde

Tagged as Beach Handball handbook, Boomradiong, European Handball championships, IHF, International Handball Federation, Norway's female handball team, Paul Ayorinde.

Written by BoomRadioNG