It is with great sadness that the International Handball Federation (IHF) mourns the passing of Marc de Sousa, a beloved former referee and an IHF delegate for Wheelchair Handball.

Marc de Sousa’s passion for handball and his tireless commitment to the values of sport left a lasting mark on the sport in France and throughout the world. After a distinguished refereeing career, de Sousa brought his expertise and guidance to the French league, where, from an early stage, he shared his knowledge with several generations of referees, helping many to reach the highest level. His leadership and mentoring impacted countless officials, fostering the growth of fair play and professionalism.

More recently, he devoted his efforts to developing Wheelchair Handball in France, where his expertise was highly respected at the national and international levels. His vision and dedication were instrumental in promoting inclusion and setting new standards for handball’s accessibility. He was a delegate at the 2022 and 2024 editions of the IHF Wheelchair Handball World Championship which took place in Egypt.

De Sousa will be remembered for his unwavering smile, radiant presence, and the passion with which he shared his love for handball and wheelchair handball.

The IHF President, Dr Hassan Moustafa, joins the entire handball community in extending its deepest condolences to Mr. de Sousa's family, friends, and all those who had the privilege to work alongside him. His legacy will continue to inspire the sport for years to come.