Pink offers to pay fine for handball team that broke 'sexist' uniform rule
Sexist rules and unjust fines gave Pink a reason to stand up in support of Norway’s women’s beach handball team.
The Norwegian team was fined by the European Handball Federation (EHF) last week for protesting a rule that requires women to wear bikini bottoms no longer than 10 centimetres in length by wearing shorts in the 2021 European Tournament bronze medal game.
Women are also mandated to wear midriff-bearing tops, meanwhile men can wear tank tops and shorts down near their knees.
kind of incredible to see the difference in the uniforms for the Norwegian men and women's beach handball teams (as required, inexplicably, by the International Handball Federation) https://t.co/aenC5u99Nw pic.twitter.com/Wkyh6W9Xb0
— Natasha Frost (@natashamfrost) July 21, 2021
Norwegian women’s handball players were fined by the European Handball Federation for wearing shorts instead of bikini bottoms. We applaud the Norwegian handball team for standing up for women's right to choose.
More power to you. ✊ pic.twitter.com/4gZNq0UhO9— Amnesty International (@amnesty) July 23, 2021
That was enough for the American singer to speak out, and even offer to foot the bill.
“I’m VERY proud of the Norwegian female beach handball team FOR PROTESTING THE VERY SEXIST RULES ABOUT THEIR ‘uniform,'” she wrote. “The European handball federation SHOULD BE FINED FOR SEXISM.
“Good on ya, ladies. I’ll be happy to pay your fines for you.”
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.
— P!nk (@Pink) July 25, 2021
The EHF’s Disciplinary Commission imposed a €150 “improper clothing” fine on 10 players for a total of €1,500 (approximately $2,223 Canadian).
The total isn’t all that significant, especially for a pop star with a $200 million net worth. Still, the gesture, and the exposure that comes with it, is priceless for the Norwegian team which has opposed the requirement for years due to the sexualization of the athletes. Several other countries have followed suit in agreement.
The EHF recently took notice and President Michael Wiederer released a statement ensuring a change in athlete uniform regulations.
“Significant efforts will be made in order to further promote the sport in the best way possible for everyone, regardless of gender,” read the statement.
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