In reference to the match played on 17 January 2025, in Varaždin between the national teams of the Netherlands and North Macedonia, in Group F of the preliminary round at the 2025 IHF Men’s World Championship, the IHF Executive Committee dealt with the incidents that occurred surrounding this match.

During the above-mentioned match, the security concept failed, leading to dangerous situations for players, team officials, referees and match officials. Objects were thrown onto the field of play, liquids were poured on the field of play, while the safety of players and officials, was endangered.

The security personnel failed to control and stop these actions, which were especially performed by North Macedonian fans. The Croatian Local Organising Committee and the Croatian Organising Committee were already asked to deploy several safety measures after the match between Hungary and North Macedonia, which were not implemented appropriately, and thus the situation got out of control in the match played on 17 January, between the Netherlands and North Macedonia.

Therefore, the IHF Executive Committee took the following decision based on article 32 of the IHF Regulations Concerning Penalties and Fines:

• the Croatian Organising Committee is imposed a fine due to the failure of the security concept;
• the Croatian Organising Committee is warned that the venue will be closed for spectators if similar incidents happen again in any match;
• the Varaždin LOC is ordered to close the spectator’s area behind the team benches/support table for spectators;
• the Varaždin LOC is ordered to increase the presence of security personnel and police in Varaždin and to perform full access controls including controlling all spectators, bags, etc.;
• the Croatian Organising Committee is ordered to prepare a corresponding communication to the spectators and ticket holders about the security concept.
• the Macedonian Handball Federation is imposed a fine due to the misbehaviour of the North Macedonian fans;
• the Macedonian Handball Federation is warned that future matches of the team of North Macedonia will be closed for spectators if similar incidents happen again.

Further to the above, the LOC has been instructed that:

• the spectator’s area behind the team benches/support table for spectators be closed for all further matches;
• the presence of security personnel and police in Varaždin be increased and full access controls including controlling all spectators, bags, etc. be performed;
• the spectators and ticket holders be informed about the security concept.

The IHF maintains its confidence in the two National Federations' compliance to the decision made with the purpose of safeguarding the players and the officials, as well as maintaining the image of handball.