Pink offers to cover Norwegian handball team’s 'sexist' fine for refusing to wear bikini bottoms

Pink is taking a stand for women athletes everywhere. The popstar and three-time Grammy-winning musician was appalled (like most of us) to learn that the Norwegian women’s handball team was fined for *checks notes* wearing shorts. So the “Cover Me In Sunshine” singer decided to lend a hand (and a checkbook).

“I’m VERY proud of the Norwegian female beach handball team FOR PROTESTING THE VERY SEXIST RULES ABOUT THEIR ‘uniform,’” Pink tweeted over the weekend.

“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.” Talk about an epic serve!

According to the European Handball Federation, which regulates the European Beach Handball Championships, rules stipulate that women athletes must wear small bikini bottoms. Because …. Sports? The rule break resulted in a fine of €150 per player, for a total of €1,500 (or around $1,770 — $177 per player) for “improper clothing” in the bronze medal game against Spain during the Championships in Bulgaria.

If you’re wondering why women must wear “bikini bottoms... with a close fit and cut on an upward angle toward the top of the leg" with a side width "a maximum of 10 centimetres," but male athletes can wear long shorts that "must remain 10 centimetres above the kneecap," you’re not alone.

When asked, a spokeswoman for the International Handball Federation, Jessica Rockstroh, told The New York Times that she did not know the reason for the uniform rules. "We're looking into it internally."

The Norwegian team, which lost the bronze medal game but still qualified for the World Championship next year, has been all smiles in the wake of international support.

“Thank you so much for all the support,” the team wrote on Instagram. “We really appreciate all the love we have received. You’re the best.”

On July 20^th, the team also posted, “We are also very proud about making a statement in the bronze final by playing in shorts instead of required bikini bottoms! We are overwhelmed by the attention and support from all over the world! Thank you so much to all the people who support us and help spread the message! We really hope this will result in a change of this nonsense rule! #letthemwearshorts”

Since then, European Handball Federation President Michael Wiederer released a statement saying the rules will be changed. “I can confirm that the EHF will do all it can to ensure that a change of athlete uniform regulations can be implemented,” the statement read. “Significant efforts will be made in order to further promote the sport in the best way possible for everyone, regardless of gender.”

The issue has created a lot of conversation online about this long-standing rule, and also rules for women’s athletic uniforms across the sports world  - something that many feel is rooted in sexism and patriarchy.

BEFORE YOU GO: Norway's handball team fined for not wearing bikini bottoms

[video_embed id='2246061']BEFORE YOU GO: Norway's handball team fined for not wearing bikini bottoms[/video_embed]