Pink has offered to pay the hefty fine handed to the Norwegian handball team for defying the sport’s bikini bottom rule.
During a match against Bulgaria on July 18 in Spain, the team brazenly flouted the “sexist” rule that female players must be decked out in a bikini to play.
They received a fine of €1,500 (around £1,300) from the European Handball Federation (EHF) for “improper clothing”.
Taking to Twitter, Funhouse songstress Pink was one of many around the globe to back the team on their protest, taking to Twitter to post: “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,” the pop superstar continued.
(Image: Getty Images)
She added: “Good on ya, ladies. I’ll be happy to pay your fines for you. Keep it up.”
The star also retweeted someone else’s tweet, which read: “When the men play a sport wearing long shorts and tank tops, but the women are required to wear bikini tops and bottoms, that is sexism!
“So either let the women wear the same as the men, or make the men play in Speedos.”
Fans were quick to come out in support for Pink’s offer, with one writing: “Pink you are so awesome. This is so nice of you. I think the fine against this team is BS. They should not have to wear uniforms like that.”
(Image: Twitter)
Another posted: “You are the best!”
“Thank you, Pink, for supporting women athletes being forced to wear sexist uniforms for the sole purpose of spectators to drool over,” someone else echoed.
The EHF’s uniform regulations say women should “wear a bikini where the top should be a tight-fitting sports bra with deep openings at the arms”.
It also states: “The bottom must not be more than 10 centimetres on the sides,” adding the bottoms must have “a close fit and cut on an upward angle towards the top of the leg”.
(Image: Xinhua News Agency/PA Images)
The rules are in sharp contrast to the men’s uniform, as they state: “The players’ shorts, if not too baggy, can be longer but must remain 10 centimetres above the kneecap”.
Men are also allowed to wear tank tops covering their entire chest while playing handball.
Instead of following the rule, the team instead opted for tight-fitting blue shorts that reached mid-thigh, as well as cropped bras.
One of the reasons cited for the breach of uniform code was that bikini bottoms aren’t “appropriate” clothing for playing sports in the sand.
And it looks like Pink won’t have to fork out any of her cash after all, as Norway’s Handball Federation (NHF) has already supported the players on their monumental decision and paid the fine.
A statement released by the NHF read: “We are very proud of these girls who are at the European Championships in beach handball. They raised their voice and told us that enough is enough.
“We are the Norwegian Handball Federation and we stand behind you and support you.
“We will continue to fight to change the international regulations for attire, so that players can play in the clothing they are comfortable with.”
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Source: Celebrities - dailystar.co.uk
