Decision on the Loke case

The EHF Arbitration Tribunal has dealt with the case of a Norwegian player, Frank Loke. The proceedings were initiated with regards to the player signing two contracts for the same period of time – with Croatian HC CO-Zagreb and Danish Skjern Handball A/S – and both clubs claiming the validity of their respective agreements.

The EHF Arbitration Tribunal found that Frank Loke violated the IHF Regulations for Transfers by signing two employment contracts for the same period of time with no mitigating circumstances in the case. Frank Loke is therefore suspended from all international club competitions for a period of nine months starting on 30 September 2009 and shall pay a momentary fine of €10.000 (Ten Thousand Euros).

Concerning the transfer rights of the player, the EHF Arbitration Tribunal has confirmed the validity of the transfer of Frank Loke to Croatia. It was found that out of the two contracts signed by Frank Loke, the contract with HC Croatia Osiguranje-Zagreb is to be considered valid – based on the fact that this contract was first declared by the club to its National Federation.