Unprecedented Sanctions Levied on Hungarian Handball Team After On-Field Protest
The Hungarian Handball Federation's Ethics and Disciplinary Committee issues 21 rulings following a protest by Mosonmagyaróvár players during a match against Debrecen.
An extraordinary scene unfolded on the handball court as players from the Mosonmagyaróvár team enacted an unprecedented protest during their match against Debrecen.
Following the opening whistle, players passed the ball across to the opponents’ side and linked arms at the centerline, refusing to engage in play.
This resulted in Debrecen scoring two goals within a minute while the Mosonmagyaróvár players remained passive.
The game resumed normally thereafter, but Mosonmagyaróvár ultimately lost by the same margin they initially ceded.
The protest’s backdrop involves a recent administrative upheaval within the club.
Peter Horváth, previously the club’s communications director and now operational manager, was appointed the new president, with the new executive committee consisting of five members, down from eight.
However, a faction comprising three committee members, including Mayor Miklós Szabó and representatives from the main sponsor, the Motherson company, issued a statement rejecting the validity of the leadership election.
They initiated legal supervision and suspended their membership until the matter is resolved.
In response to the protest, the Hungarian Handball Federation’s Ethics and Disciplinary Committee issued 21 sanctions, most notably suspending Mosonmagyaróvár’s starting lineup—Anna Albek, Laura Falusi-Udvardi, Luca Faragó, Caroline Aparecida Nogueira Martins, Zsófia Stranigg, Eszter Tóth, and Gabriella Tóth—from all Federation-organized competitions until February 10, 2025.
They also received financial penalties.
Head coach János Gyurka and assistant coach Ferenc Stranigg were similarly suspended until February 10, 2025, and fined.
These penalties are effective immediately and apply to all competitions organized by the Hungarian Handball Federation, although they do not pertain to European Handball Federation events.
Further financial penalties were imposed on substitute players Mélanie Halter, Szofi Viktória Horváth, Ines Ivancok-Soltic, Anna Kukely, Barbora Lancz, Dorottya Molnár, Pipy Wolfs, and Emília Varga.
Young athlete Flóra Hanna Magyar received a written reprimand.
Staff members Edit Benkovics and István Doka were also fined.
The imposed financial penalties ranged from 100,000 to 1,000,000 forints.
“The behavior of the starting players was deemed grossly unsportsmanlike and contrary to the spirit of sport, handball, and fair play,” stated József Lóránt, Chairman of the Ethics and Disciplinary Committee.
“Bench players and staff expressed solidarity, unity of intent, agreement, and support for the demonstration on the field.”
In an unexpected turn, Mosonmagyaróvár's team, relying on youth players to substitute the suspended starters, managed a 30–26 victory against the last-placed MTK.
Nonetheless, the sanctions mean that key players and the coaching staff will watch the next three league matches—from the sidelines: upcoming home games against Szombathely and Győri Audi ETO KC, and an away fixture against Ferencváros.
Following the opening whistle, players passed the ball across to the opponents’ side and linked arms at the centerline, refusing to engage in play.
This resulted in Debrecen scoring two goals within a minute while the Mosonmagyaróvár players remained passive.
The game resumed normally thereafter, but Mosonmagyaróvár ultimately lost by the same margin they initially ceded.
The protest’s backdrop involves a recent administrative upheaval within the club.
Peter Horváth, previously the club’s communications director and now operational manager, was appointed the new president, with the new executive committee consisting of five members, down from eight.
However, a faction comprising three committee members, including Mayor Miklós Szabó and representatives from the main sponsor, the Motherson company, issued a statement rejecting the validity of the leadership election.
They initiated legal supervision and suspended their membership until the matter is resolved.
In response to the protest, the Hungarian Handball Federation’s Ethics and Disciplinary Committee issued 21 sanctions, most notably suspending Mosonmagyaróvár’s starting lineup—Anna Albek, Laura Falusi-Udvardi, Luca Faragó, Caroline Aparecida Nogueira Martins, Zsófia Stranigg, Eszter Tóth, and Gabriella Tóth—from all Federation-organized competitions until February 10, 2025.
They also received financial penalties.
Head coach János Gyurka and assistant coach Ferenc Stranigg were similarly suspended until February 10, 2025, and fined.
These penalties are effective immediately and apply to all competitions organized by the Hungarian Handball Federation, although they do not pertain to European Handball Federation events.
Further financial penalties were imposed on substitute players Mélanie Halter, Szofi Viktória Horváth, Ines Ivancok-Soltic, Anna Kukely, Barbora Lancz, Dorottya Molnár, Pipy Wolfs, and Emília Varga.
Young athlete Flóra Hanna Magyar received a written reprimand.
Staff members Edit Benkovics and István Doka were also fined.
The imposed financial penalties ranged from 100,000 to 1,000,000 forints.
“The behavior of the starting players was deemed grossly unsportsmanlike and contrary to the spirit of sport, handball, and fair play,” stated József Lóránt, Chairman of the Ethics and Disciplinary Committee.
“Bench players and staff expressed solidarity, unity of intent, agreement, and support for the demonstration on the field.”
In an unexpected turn, Mosonmagyaróvár's team, relying on youth players to substitute the suspended starters, managed a 30–26 victory against the last-placed MTK.
Nonetheless, the sanctions mean that key players and the coaching staff will watch the next three league matches—from the sidelines: upcoming home games against Szombathely and Győri Audi ETO KC, and an away fixture against Ferencváros.
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