The European Nanoball Federation (EHF) decided this Monday, following the recommendation of the International Olympic Committee, to “suspend” the national teams, as well as the clubs of Russia and of Belarusof the continental competitions for the war unleashed by Russia in the Ukraine.
“Effective immediately, the national teams of Russia and Belarus are suspended, as well as the Russian and Belarusian clubs that compete in European handball competitions. This is valid until further notice and relates to all current competitions at club and national team level,” the EHF said in a statement.
Likewise, as agreed on Monday by the executive committee of the European Handball Federation “referees and officials from Russia and Belarus will not be nominated for future matches until further notice, as well as the speakers and the members of the various committees from Russia and Belarus will not be summoned for future meetings and activities”.
Likewise, “they will look for new organizers” for the U16 European beach handball tournament, as well as for the qualifying tournaments for the 2023 European beach handball tournament that were scheduled to be held next July in Moscow.
These measures, as the EHF pointed out in its statement, “have had to be taken with immediate effect, since the war in Ukraine continues to rageendangering the principles of cooperation of the EHF at European level and the spirit of fairness.
The European Handball Federation “regrets the consequences for individuals, clubs and national teams and hopes that the return of peace will make it possible to renew considerations“. In the coming days, as announced by the European Federation, “there will be a restructuring of the various competitions at club and national team level following the sporting principles and current regulations.”