Next week, the handball World Cup in Sweden and Poland starts.

The Swedish national team enters the championship at home with a good feeling, as they are the reigning European champions.

But with a few days left until the WC premiere, critical voices have been raised - against the organizers' covid restrictions.

The International Handball Federation (IHF) has decided that all players must be tested on the days before the premiere, before the intermediate round and once before the quarter-finals.

If a player tests positive, there is a requirement of at least five days of quarantine, and the player must also present a negative test to be able to return to play.

Open letter to the union

The Icelandic national team goalkeeper Björgvin Páll Gústavsson has been open with his criticism of the IHF's demands.

On Twitter, the goalkeeper writes that he sent an open letter to the International Handball Federation.

A post that has been widely circulated on social media.

"Together with other handball players, I have consulted with lawyers regarding possible isolations during the handball World Cup," he writes and believes that the championship will have stricter covid rules than Sweden's and Poland's general laws.

He has also sent a direct message to the IHF on Twitter.

"Are you joking about the covid-19 restrictions in the WC?

Are you trying to destroy our sport?

Handball friends, what should we do?

We have to stop this!”.

Criticism from several countries

Páll Gústavsson is not the only player who expressed criticism before the championship.

According to Norwegian NRK, players and managers from Sweden, Denmark and Norway, among others, have criticized the restrictions.

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Niclas Ekberg on the covid restrictions during the EC

One who had to take part in the isolation during the last EC was Sweden's penalty specialist Niclas Ekberg.

- It was a trip in itself.

I wouldn't have changed a thing if I could do it in retrospect.

It wasn't that I took any bigger risks than I had done now, says Ekberg to SVT Sport.

The Swedish manager: "Wants to ensure the championship"

However, the Swedish Handball Association shows understanding for the IHF's decision.

- They have made an assessment from their side, as they are responsible for ensuring that the entire tournament can be carried out in a safe manner.

There are countries from all over the world, where there are different covid rules, says national team manager Hanna Fogelström to SVT Sport, and continues later:

- They do this because they want to ensure the championship and the safety of players and managers.

Have you from the Swedish confederation contacted the IHF and expressed your dissatisfaction?

- We have not made any active correspondence this time.

Is it something you are thinking of doing?

- Not at the moment.

SVT Sport is looking for the international handball association.