Singer Pink offers to pay fine incurred by Norwegian women’s beach handball team for not wearing bikinis

The team's refusal to wear bikini at a recent match got them fined about RM7,192. Photo: norwaybeachhandballwomen/Instagram 

The Norwegian beach handball team may have been fined for their choice of attire, but the money will not come out of their pockets – thanks to pop star Pink, who has offered to pay.

Which is good, since the mandated bikini bottoms they were required to wear – and didn’t – have absolutely zero room for anything remotely resembling pockets, and in fact barely contain and protect their body parts.

Nonetheless, their refusal to wear required bikini bottoms during a championship game against Spain at the European Beach Handball Championships in Bulgaria got them nicked about US$1,700 (RM7,192) by the European Handball Association’s Disciplinary Commission.

But on Saturday (July 24), Pink tweeted her own response after the post of the women’s plight went viral.

“I’m VERY proud of the Norwegian female beach handball team FOR PROTESTING THE VERY SEXIST RULES ABOUT THEIR “uniform,” she tweeted late Saturday.

“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.”

The women had worn bicycle-type shorts, equally form-fitting yet less-revealing pants that they use to train in. The handball association said no. They did it anyway.

The resulting public outcry after their fine got a viral photo circulating of their attire’s contrast with that of men, who can wear tank tops and loose shorts.

A move to change the rule is afoot, according to BuzzFeed.

“Thank you so much for all the support,” the team said on Instagram Saturday. “We really appreciate all the love we have received.” – New York Daily News/Tribune News Service