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HANDBALL

Karabtic declares innocence on Facebook

One of the two brothers at the heart of the handball scandal, Nikola Karabatic, has publicly denied the allegations for the first time on his Facebook page.

Karabtic declares innocence on Facebook
Facebook

Two-time Olympic champion Nikola and his brother Luka, of the Montpellier Agglomération Handball team (MAHB), are among the 13 people formally questioned by police in relation to allegations of rigging a match with Cesson in May this year.

But last night he took to his Facebook page to deny the allegations and tell his fans of his anguish.

“I’ve kept silent so far, but I owe you a few words. Have I bet on matches? No, I haven’t. Has my girlfriend bet? Yes, and she told me about it,” he wrote.

“As for the charges, they are really causing me pain. To accuse me of cheating and fixing the match, and throwing me to the press like that, is unthinkable.”

After being questioned last night over charges of fraud, Nikola’s lawyer confirmed in a press conference that he had broken down in tears in front of the magistrate.

“Since I was born, I have dedicated my life to handball. I fight for my sport, and to find myself in this situation is a nightmare.

“Thank you all for your support, it is very comforting in these difficult times,” Nikola signed off.

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HANDBALL

Norway backs out of co-hosting Euro handball champs with Denmark over Covid

Norway has pulled out of co-hosting the women's European handball championship just two weeks before the start in December due to restrictions linked to the coronavirus pandemic, its federation said on Monday.

Norway backs out of co-hosting Euro handball champs with Denmark over Covid
Denmark playing against Norway at last year's handball world cup in Japan. Photo: Bo Amstrup/Ritzau Scanpix

“Based on in-depth assessments by Norwegian health authorities as well as clear demands from Norwegian political authorities, it is now clear that Norway cannot be an organiser of the women's European handball championship,” the federation said.

Denmark is now considering whether to host the event on its own.

Strict restrictions are however currently in place in the North Jutland region, where some of the matches were due to be played, after a mutated version of the virus was found in the country's mink population, infecting 12 people.

The European Handball Federation “very much regrets the decision of the Norwegian government”, it said in a statement, referring to the Norwegian health authorities' refusal to grant exemptions to the strict measures it has imposed.

Under current rules, if a player or team official tests positive for the virus the entire team must quarantine, as well as the teams that it has opposed just prior.

The rules are less strict in Denmark.

“Alternatives are being sought with the Danish Handball Association and additional information will be released on Tuesday at the latest,” the European Handball Federation said.

Norway had been due to host around 60 percent of matches, including the final, in Trondheim.

While Norway has been one of the countries in Europe least affected by the pandemic, it has seen a recent uptick in cases which has led authorities to introduce a series of measures, notably on cultural and sporting events.

READ ALSO: Extra coronavirus restrictions 'halve travel' inside Danish region

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