Just this week, The International Handball Federation fined the Norwegian Women's Beach Handball Team €150 ($177) per player for wearing shorts instead of the regulation bikini bottoms. While the men's uniform consists of a tank top and shorts, women are required to wear bikini bottoms and sports bras to play.
Now, pop star P!nk stepped up and offered to pay their fines for them.
P!nk tweeted she was proud of the team for standing up against this "very sexist" rule and suggested the fines should be put on the Handball Federation.
The singer finished the tweet saying:
"I'll be happy to pay your fines for you. Keep it up."
I\u2019m VERY proud of the Norwegian female beach handball team FOR PROTESTING THE VERY SEXIST RULES ABOUT THEIR \u201cuniform\u201d. The European handball federation SHOULD BE FINED FOR SEXISM. Good on ya, ladies. I\u2019ll be happy to pay your fines for you. Keep it up.— P!nk (@P!nk) 1627181370
People have continued to call out the European Beach Handball Championships for this unfair treatment as well as praise P!nk for speaking up.
Why don\u2019t the men have to wear Speedo then!!! Fair is fair.— Elaine Mac (@Elaine Mac) 1627210531
When they said they'd be happy to pay the fine, the federation escalated it and threatened with expulsion.\nSo it was never about rules, it was always about control.— He-Man was always a social justice warrior. (@He-Man was always a social justice warrior.) 1627195287
Here\u2019s the European Handball Federation committee responsible for the decision.\nHang on - who let that woman in?pic.twitter.com/WqQbVKQFqx— andrew crosthwaite (@andrew crosthwaite) 1627299370
unreal that they\u2019re having to protest the fact that they want to wear shorts\u2026 I can\u2019t see any reason that shorts would affect their playing ability!— Dons | \ud83d\udc9c\ud83d\udda4 (@Dons | \ud83d\udc9c\ud83d\udda4) 1627181887
Thank you P!nk for lending your voice to this important issue. You are always welcome at any @USBeachHandball tournament!— Michelle Mensing (@Michelle Mensing) 1627312217
You continue to be the coolest person ever— Nicholas Rice (@Nicholas Rice) 1627181463
This is 1 of many reasons why your my favorite singer in the entire world. pic.twitter.com/4e4HoKwjks— BeautifulTrama051107 (@BeautifulTrama051107) 1627184790
Many also pointed out the German Artistic Gymnastics Team is wearing full length unitards to address the sexualization of female gymnasts—many of whom are underage.
Check out Germany\u2019s Gymnastics unitard too. Athletes should have choice and feel comfortable and it is awesome that those choices are now being provided.pic.twitter.com/qRZCmeFG5H— Megan Lloyd (@Megan Lloyd) 1627248869
thank you, it\u2018s important for all the girls and women in the world! \nI\u2018m very proud of our gymnasts https://www.nytimes.com/2021/07/25/sports/olympics/german-gymnasts-unitards.html\u00a0\u2026— Pii (@Pii) 1627321325
The German gymnastics team are wearing body suits. A GB para Olympic athlete was committed on her athletic briefs being to short by an offical. We can\u2019t win. A beach volleyball team fined because of what they choose to wear. Women should be able to wear what they want to wear— ZOE BOND (@ZOE BOND) 1627281418
Former tennis champion Billie Jean King also chimed in pointing out the men's team get to wear shorts.
"The men's team wears shorts."
"The sexualization of women athletes must stop."
The Norwegian Women\u2019s Beach Handball team is facing fines for wanting to wear shorts instead of bikini bottoms. The bottoms are not to cover \u201cmore than 10cm on any sides.\u201d\n\nThe men\u2019s team wears shorts.\n\nThe sexualization of women athletes must stop.https://www.insider.com/norwegian-handball-team-fined-wearing-shorts-instead-bikini-uniform-2021-7\u00a0\u2026— Billie Jean King (@Billie Jean King) 1626823840
P!nk might not have to pay the fine after all, since the Norwegian Handball Federation announced it would pay the fines for the team members.
@coyleray/Instagram