Rules and regulations exist to maintain peace and order in sports, but what if some rules make the players feel uncomfortable?

When playing any sport, being comfortable with your uniform is very important. No one can play and be at their best if they feel uncomfortable, don’t you agree?

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Norway’s Women’s Beach Handball team didn’t agree with the European Handball Federation (EHF) required uniform. For them, it was too revealing and uncomfortable. They also question the rule that men can wear shorts, but they can’t – which seems to be unfair.

The required uniform for the women’s category required them to wear a sports bra and a bikini bottom not longer than 10 centimeters.

Here are the rules for the men’s vs. women’s uniforms. Ridiculously pic.twitter.com/8wDXG22sTd

— KT SLP (@MrsThornSLP) July 25, 2021

In protest, the team decided to wear blue leggings to the game, which broke the rule of the EHF.

According to the EHF, this is a clear violation of their rules and regulations. The committee decided that Norway’s Women’s Beach Handball team should be fined 1,500 euros or $1,768.

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This news went viral, and European Handball Federation (EHF) received huge backlash!

According to Norway’s minister of culture and equality, Abib Raja, the decision was “completely ridiculous,” even asking for a change in the organization’s rules and regulations.

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People who watched the game and saw the news about the fine were outraged!

The incident also went viral and many people expressed their opinion about how the ‘sexist’ rule of wearing bikinis in sports.

The news also reached famous singer and songwriter, Pink, who showed her support for Norway’s Women’s Beach Handball team.

https://twitter.com/Pink/status/1419127641068630016

Last July 25, 2021, Pink tweeted:

“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.”

Many people were touched by Pink’s support and offer, and her tweet went viral, garnering more than 200K reactions.

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The Norwegian team saw Pink’s tweet and posted their reply on their Instagram account to express how much they appreciate the support.

“Together we will continue to fight to change the international regulations for clothing so that players can play in the clothes they are comfortable with,” the Norweigan team posted in one of their Instagram posts.

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More and more women are standing up for the Norwegian team, asking the EHF to listen to the voice of its athletes.

In response to the viral issue, EHF President Michael Wiederer said:

“I can confirm that the EHF will do all it can to ensure that a change of athlete uniform regulations can be implemented.”

The president also posted in the EHF website blog that they have decided to donate the €1,500 fine to an international sports foundation that supports equality for women and girls in sports.

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The Norwegian team expressed their happiness with EHF’s decision to donate the money. They also wish that they would hear their voice and create a change.

If the issue hasn’t gone viral, do you think the EHF would hear the team’s voice, or would it go unnoticed?

Let us know what you think, and don’t forget to share this with your friends and family.

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Source: norwaybeachhandballwomen, handballandslagene, Pink