A warning before Cairo: Confidential email raises alarm ahead of IHF Congress

Just days before the 40th Elective Congress of the International Handball Federation (IHF) in Cairo, a confidential email obtained by GoHandball is sending shockwaves through the handball world. In a sharply worded message, former French handball executive Blaise Millon questions the health, governance and legitimacy of current and future IHF leadership – and issues what reads as a clear warning to voting delegates ahead of a crucial election.

The email, dated December 15, 2025, was sent by Blaise Millon, former 1st Secretary General of the French National Handball League, to representatives of national federations traveling to Egypt for the IHF Congress. GoHandball has taken part of the email and is publishing it in full below.

In the message, Millon draws attention to the absence of current IHF President Dr. Hassan Moustafa from the Women’s World Championship final weekend in Rotterdam, openly questioning whether age and health may affect his ability to complete another mandate.

According to GoHandball sources, however, Moustafa’s absence from Rotterdam was allegedly linked to urgent matters connected to the upcoming Congress. Sources claim that the IHF President had to deal with around 30 rejected visa applications related to the Congress in Cairo.

At this stage, it remains unclear – and unconfirmed – whether these allegedly rejected visa applications concern countries expected to vote in favor of Moustafa, or countries whose participation in the vote he may be seeking to prevent. No official explanation has been provided by the IHF, and GoHandball has not independently verified the nature or consequences of these alleged visa issues.

Millon mentions a previously unknown deal

More significantly, Millon’s email alleges the existence of an informal succession deal within the IHF: that Moustafa, if re-elected for what would be a final term, would step down after two years in favor of his First Vice President — a scenario that could ultimately elevate French Handball Federation President Philippe Bana to the presidency in 2027 or 2028.

Millon also places the international power struggle in the context of what he describes as a deep internal crisis within French handball, citing major financial losses, alleged governance failures and unresolved controversies involving current French leadership.

What follows is the full text of the email, published in its entirety and without modification:

“Blaise Millon
1st Secretary General of the French National Handball League (2004) to all representatives of all National federations who will be traveling to Egypt at the end of the week for the 40th Elective Congress of the International Handball Federation (IHF)
Paris (France), December 15, 2025

Dear Presidents,
At the end of this week, the 40th Congress of the International Handball Federation will take place in Cairo (Egypt).
This past weekend, President Hassan Moustafa was absent from Rotterdam (Netherlands) and therefore could not attend the final of the last Women’s World Championship !
What could be the reason for this ?
Is it serious? Was he only “a little” sick, tired, or is it more serious ???
It is obvious that at 81 years old, any elderly person needs rest, and even a lot of rest.

The question is important because “the deal” made with the French candidate (Mister Philippe Bana) is that Dr. Moustafa, re-elected for a final term at the end of the week, will give up his position to his First Vice President in two years; therefore, if Mr. Bana is elected at the end of this week, he would then become President in 2027 or 2028 !

Of course, the French women’s team won a very nice bronze medal yesterday in Rotterdam against the Dutch, but you all still need to know that a major internal crisis has been shaking the French Handball Federation for several months.

Mr. Bana, like his vice president Rémy Lévy, who is also currently facing health issues, are both involved in several dubious matters, all distinct from one another.

Their two applications to the IHF are primarily aimed at distancing themselves from these, regardless of what might later happen to either of them at the French level (particularly regarding the 2025 financial results).

At the time he was technical director of the FFHB, Mr. Bana used to keep all the tickets paid for by the FFHB in his name, only to have them reimbursed by the IHF accounting department a few days later…

Not to return the money to the FFHB, but solely so that the money remained in his personal account, Mr. Delplanque having eventually been informed of the above, hence his anger…

As of December 31, 2024, which will be one year from two weeks from now, the FFHB reported a deficit of more than 2,000,000 euros, something that had never happened before since its creation.

In fact, today there are quite a number of us, former players, former coaches, and French officials, who have had more than enough of seeing all the financial reserves of the French Handball Federation (FFHB) disappear over the past three years (a total of 8,000,000 euros evaporated since 2022), without the slightest word of explanation from the president or, at a minimum, the federation’s treasurer !

Even though one could regret that a nation like France cannot have elected representatives within the international federation, in our view it is still preferable to have none, rather than to see France so poorly represented.

If Bahrain, on its part, cannot logically claim the status of a “major handball nation,” it is above all essential for the IHF’s annual accounts and, more importantly, for the credibility of our sport, to be able to rely on honest leaders and, above all, financially independent leaders, as opposed to one or more parasites who are in fact only seeking election to ideally secure their retirement plan.

Hoping to have captured your full attention, I wish all the representatives of this important congress a very good and constructive stay in Cairo, in the very interest of international handball.

Best regards,

Blaise MILLON”

What does IHF Statues say?

But is it true that the 1st vice president will take over as president if the current president steps down before the expiry of the normal term?

According to the IHF Constitution, if the presidency becomes vacant before the term expires, the President-Designate or Immediate Past President takes over, and a new president should be elected at the next General Assembly.

The IHF statutes allow for the Vice-President to serve as acting head until a new president is elected by the Congress or General Assembly.

Editorial note

The allegations and claims contained in the email have not been independently verified by GoHandball. Several of the issues raised involve sensitive matters, including health, internal governance, financial management and alleged political agreements within international handball.

After a careful editorial assessment, GoHandball has decided to publish the email in full, as its news value is considered significant – particularly given its direct relevance to the upcoming IHF Congress, where decisions will be made that are expected to shape the future of international handball for at least the next four years.

GoHandball is currently seeking comment from Blaise Millon, the author of the email, as well as from Philippe Bana, who is directly referenced in the document. GoHandball have also contacted the IHF for a comment. Any responses received will be published in full and without undue delay.

A warning before Cairo: Confidential email raises alarm ahead of IHF Congress

Millon mentions a previously unknown deal

What does IHF Statues say?

Editorial note

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