With the IHF presidential election approaching, attention is quietly shifting toward the nations that have candidates running for influential positions within the federation. While no wrongdoing is implied, the concentration of candidatures, and longstanding relationships with the current IHF president, Hassan Moustafa – raises questions about whether these dynamics could influence the outcome of the vote.
The December IHF presidential election is drawing scrutiny for several reasons, but one detail stands out: 22 member nations (some of them very influential) have candidates seeking roles across the IHF’s commissions, executive bodies, and internal oversight structures. According to multiple sources familiar with international handball politics, some of these federations are believed to have longstanding working relationships or understandings with the current IHF president, Hassan Moustafa.
Nothing suggests that any agreements are formalized or improper. However, the large number of candidatures linked to nations seen as aligned with the current leadership raises a natural question: could these connections shape how votes fall in the presidential race?
Nations with candidates for key IHF positions
Based on the IHF’s published list of candidatures, these national federations have individuals running for significant positions:
Spain: Francisco V. Blázquez García – candidate for the Executive Committee (new election)
Switzerland: Pascal Jenny – candidate for Chairperson of the Commission of Organising and Competition (new election)
Romania: Narcisa Lecușanu – candidate for the Executive Committee (re-election)
Croatia: Tomislav Grahovac – candidate for Chairperson of the Commission for Development (re-election)
France: Philippe Bana – candidate for Vice President (new election, confirmed to GoHandball that France will vote for Moustafa)
Bahrain: Ali Mohamed Eshaqi – candidate for Vice President (new election)
Sweden: Anna Rapp – candidate for Treasurer (re-election)
Denmark: Per Bertelsen – candidate for Chairperson of the Commission of Organising and Competition (re-election)
Norway: Per Morten Sødal – candidate for Chairperson of the Playing Rules and Referees Commission (re-election)
Germany: Dietrich Späte – candidate for Chairperson of the Commission of Coaching and Methods (re-election)
Jordan: Taiysir Mansi – candidate for Chairperson of the Commission of Coaching and Methods (new election)
Somalia: Nur Maye Osman – candidate for Chairperson of the Commission of Coaching and Methods (new election)
Cameroon: Yannick Mossus – candidate for Chairperson of the Medical Commission (new election)
Brazil: Bruno Souza – candidate for Chairperson of the Commission for Development (new election)
Montenegro: Zoran Radojicic – candidate for Chairperson of the Arbitration Tribunal (re-election)
In addition, multiple nations have candidates standing for key positions within arbitration and ethics structures:
Members of the Arbitration Tribunal: Portugal, Spain, Croatia, France, Turkey
Chairperson of the Arbitration Commission: Candidate from Croatia
Members of the Arbitration Commission: Tunisia, Spain, Portugal, Hong Kong, Romania, Pakistan
Members of the Ethics Commission: Candidate from Mexico
Internal IHF auditors: Including a candidate from Slovenia
Altogether, these candidatures represent 22 nations.
What does this mean for the election?
It is important to note that Germany, Luxembourg, Slovenia, and the Netherlands are (at the moment) the only nations publicly known to be supporting other presidential candidates (Gerd Butzeck, Franjo Bobinac, and Tjark de Lange respectively). For the remaining nations on the list, their voting intentions are not publicly confirmed.
Still, in an election where every vote matters, the overlap between candidatures and potential alliances with the incumbent leadership inevitably raises questions. If representatives from these nations are elected – or anticipate being elected – to influential IHF positions, it could have an indirect impact on how their federations decide to vote.
While nothing suggests that these nations are acting improperly, the structure of international sports governance means that political alignment, personal relationships, and strategic interests often intersect. As the IHF heads toward its most closely watched presidential contest in years, these dynamics form an important – if largely unspoken – backdrop.
GoHandball have asked the IHF to comment. GoHandball have also asked the following federations for an interview: Spain, Switzerland, Romania, Croatia, Denmark, Germany, Brazil, Argentina, and Algeria.
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