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IKF Council rejects Portugal’s semifinal lineup, stresses Code of Conduct

The IKF Council has taken notice of Portugal’s lineup in the semifinal of the IKF European Korfball Championship, and strongly and unanimously rejects the decision to deliberately keep the eight strongest players out of the starting lineup in the semifinal of the IKF EKC on Friday. The decision is totally opposed to the first article of the IKF Code of Conduct, which states Play to Win — It is recognized that winning is the object of playing any game. However, never set out to lose. If you do not play to win, you are cheating your opponents, fooling yourself and deceiving those who are watching. It is an insult to any opponent to play at less than full strength. You should play to win until the final whistle and never give up against stronger opponents nor relent against weaker ones. 

While similar actions have been taken in the past by other countries, in the past quadrennial no country except Portugal appears to have displayed these tactics. The IKF Council applauds in this Championship the English Korfball Association, and in the recent past also the Korfball Associations from Chinese Taipei and Germany for their exemplary actions in this regard leading to great viewing figures for semifinals at major events. The IKF Council has expressed their dismay to the President of the FPC. Following the Championship, all member countries will be reminded explicitly of the IKF Code of Conduct.