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Nordic Federations Push IHF to Drop White Shorts Rule Before Women’s Handball Worlds

The IHF signals case-by-case flexibility without issuing a formal rule change.

Overview

  • Denmark, Sweden and Norway filed a joint request asking the International Handball Federation to remove the requirement for light or white shorts ahead of the Nov. 27–Dec. 14 World Championship in Germany and the Netherlands.
  • The appeal cites menstruation-related concerns about visible bloodstains, with Norway’s Veronica Kristiansen calling white shorts embarrassing and uncomfortable.
  • IHF regulations currently require three differently colored kits per team including a light set for each match, and reports say Denmark has registered white, red and black shorts for the tournament.
  • An IHF spokesperson told NRK the body will try to let teams wear dark shorts where scheduling and conditions allow, though no written amendment has been enacted.
  • Germany’s federation said it sought a rules adjustment two years ago and noted women may already wear black base layers under shorts regardless of the outer color.