Handball Player's Brutal Foul Lands Him a Long Suspension
Professional handball player receives over two-year ban for committing a brutally rough foul
get ready for a gripping tale of sport, suspense, and consequences! In the pulsating quarterfinals of the Austrian handball championship, a disgraceful act unfolded, leaving one player severely injured and another facing a lengthy ban.
The merciless incident involved Ivan Horvat, a backcourt player from Alpla HC Hard, and Markus Mahr, the playmaker of Bregenz Handball. The match was tied at 20-20 when tragedy struck. Mahr, charging towards the opponents' defense, executed a quick body feint, but Horvat met him with a devilish hand-to-face connection. Mahr crumpled to the floor, writhing in agony, while his teammates and opponents watched in horror.
Following the incident, Mahr received immediate medical attention and was transported off the field. The situation took a turn for the worse on the sidelines, where Mahr, draped in blood, collapsed again, forcing onlookers to look away in shock. Mahr later underwent surgery for a multiple open nasal bone fracture.
Horvat was shown a red card, and due to the gravity of his actions, the referees also issued a blue card. This can lead to a lengthy suspension, which indeed proved to be the case. The independent handball court of the Austrian Handball Federation (ÖHB) ruled that Horvat's foul was gross unsporting behavior, punishable with a suspension of 8 games to 4 years for causing a severe injury to an opposing player, according to ÖHB regulations. The suspension, yet to be finalized, stretches until July 30, 2027.
Such gross unsporting behavior is considered a severe injury under Austrian criminal law, for which a punishment of 8 games to 4 years is imposed.
"Horvat's not a beginner at this..."
In a scathing statement, Bregenz Handball expressed their anger and concern over the attack on Mahr. "This wasn't Horvat's first dangerous action against us," the club asserted. "In the first quarterfinal game, Mahr managed to narrowly avoid an attack - this time, he didn't have the luck to dodge in time." They further added that Horvat had previously knocked out a Bregenz player "in a similar manner, sending him to the hospital." The club vehemently declared that such actions must never happen again.
Coach Marko Tanaskovic echoed the club's sentiments, calling the incident "unfair" during an interview with ORF. Mahr, meanwhile, is reportedly "doing well, given the circumstances," after the surgery, according to the club. "While everyone realizes that no one feels good in this situation."
Horvat, who joined Hard from SG Flensburg-Handewitt in 2018, expressed regret over the consequences of his actions. "I never intended to injure Mahr," he stated in a club statement. "His body feint was extremely quick, and I reacted incorrectly in that situation."
The team of Alpla HC Hard advanced to the championship semifinals after securing a 30-29 win in the final seconds of the game. Their victory celebration was met with bewilderment from their opponents, as they posted a jubilant picture featuring a jubilant player who had seriously injured their key player minutes earlier. Additionally, their official statement was criticized for its insensitive tone and lack of empathy for the situation.
In the heart of general-news and sports, a crime-and-justice case unfolds, revolving around Ivan Horvat, a player from Alpla HC Hard, who is no stranger to dangerous behavior. Markus Mahr, his victim on this occasion, endured a multiple open nasal bone fracture due to a brutal handball foul that landed Horvat a lengthy suspension.
The Austrian Handball Federation (ÖHB) deemed Horvat's foul as gross unsporting behavior, which may stretch his suspension until July 30, 2027. This severe punishment is also applicable under Austrian criminal law.
Bregenz Handball, Mahr's team, are outraged as Horvat has demonstrated a pattern of dangerous actions against them. They noted that Mahr narrowly escaped an attack in their previous match. Despite the tragic circumstances, Mahr is reportedly doing well after surgery, although no one remains unscathed by the situation.
Horvat, having joined Hard from SG Flensburg-Handewitt in 2018, has expressed remorse but acknowledges his incorrect response to Mahr's quick body feint. The controversy surrounding the controversy continues as Alpla HC Hard advances to the championship semifinals, facing criticism for their insensitive celebration and statement following the incident.
