EHF continues cooperation process with clubs

Vienna, 09.07.2009 – The European Handball Federation takes this opportunity to state their united position to current issues in relation to the clubs. The leadership of the European Federation have proved time and again its commitment to working with all clubs to find common solutions to sport-political problems as and when they arise.

On the 21st and 22nd of July, the EHF will resume talks with the men’s club representatives in a working group. At this meeting all parties will continue working together on the representation of European clubs inside the EHF discussing the planned platform for the stakeholders in the future.

The EHF is extremely satisfied that all relevant parties contribute to the further development and are focusing not only on structural questions but also on sporting matters such as the organisation and preparation for the upcoming competitions as well as working on the long term competition system.

It is with sincere regret that instead of focusing on the positive development on all levels of the European handball sport and commonly looking for solutions for questions still open, our attention is taken by the temporary restraining order filed by the General Manager of the organisation Group Club Handball against the Secretary General of the EHF on a personal level. The EHF has always valued and endeavoured to effect positive communication with their stakeholders. When faced with the endless accusations and issues, the EHF has consistently acted to resolve all problems, even when it seemed that the positive approaches of the EHF and its leadership were being resisted by the General Manager of the Group Club Handball.

As in the past, the European Handball Federation will face any and all challenges and will maintain the cooperation with all stakeholders who have continued to show their support for such collaborations. The EHF therefore will clearly differentiate between the collective attitude of partners being in a dialogue and the personal agenda of others.

The European Handball Federation is certain in its opinion that the negative actions of one individual, who continues to be a major obstacle to an open dialogue between the EHF and the GCH, will not stop the progress of the handball sport in Europe. The EHF is ready to break down walls to raise not only our profile, but also our professional standards.

As we are all well aware, only by working together and not against each other, can we shape the future of European handball.