EHF OFFICIAL STATEMENT

Case: 2007/2008 Men’s EHF Champions League Final – 2nd leg
THW Kiel v BM Ciudad Real on 11 May 2008

Vienna, 28 May 2008 - Following incidents of an unsporting nature in the final minute of the 2007/2008 Men’s EHF Champions League Final (2nd leg), the EHF Competitions Commission as Body of 1st Instance in disciplinary cases announces the following decision.

The matter has been analysed by the EHF Competitions Commission, and the decisions have been made based on reports submitted by all parties and video material from the match. While the emotion of the moment has also been taken into account, the incident is seen to be unsportsmanlike, overshadowing the season in general and in particular the final matches, which were otherwise played in a very positive atmosphere.

Both clubs – THW Kiel and BM Ciudad Real – have been fined €5 000. This decision has been made based on the fact that many players from both sides were involved in the incident, including those entering from the substitution area.

Christian Zeitz of THW Kiel, who was directly disqualified in the last minute of the match for serious unsportsmanlike conduct, is suspended for 2 matches of an EHF club competition and has to pay a fine of €2 000.

Uros Zormann of BM Ciudad Real is suspended for 2 matches of an EHF club competition and has to pay a fine of €4 000. This decision has been made on serious unsportsmanlike conduct, including obscene gestures to the audience.

All parties have the right to appeal within three working days of this decision.

The European Handball Federation would like to add that this situation is seen as very much regretful but has full confidence that such situations will be avoided in the future and that both clubs and players will act in a professional manner and contribute to a positive atmosphere in the future.