A PROMINENT East Lancashire businessman has offered to pay the Norwegian women's beach handball team's fine after they refused to play in bikini bottoms.

Earlier this week it was announced that the team had been fined a total of £1,300 for wearing shorts instead of bikini bottoms during their European Championship match against Spain in Bulgaria.

And now Burnley businessman and millionaire Dave Fishwick has pledged to pay the fine – and any future penalties – slamming the decision as ‘absolutely ridiculous’.

On his Twitter page ‘Bank of Dave’ he said: “This is absolutely ridiculous in modern day sport they should be allowed to play in shorts or tracksuits.

“I will pay this fine for the Norwegian Handball Team and I will also pay the future fines. Tell the team to wear what’s best for them!”

European Handball Federation officials said they team were wearing “improper clothing" that was "not according to the Athlete Uniform Regulations defined in the IHF beach handball rules of the game".

A statement from the governing body read: “The Disciplinary Commission at the Beach Handball EURO 2021 has dealt with a case of improper clothing.

“In the bronze medal game against Spain on Sunday the team of Norway played with shorts that are not according to the Athlete Uniform Regulations defined in the IHF Beach Handball Rules of the Game,” the EHF said in a statement.

The country’s handball federation has backed the team and announced they would be paying the fine.