A conflict at PSV Handball in Eindhoven has become so heated that three parents are filing summary proceedings against the club. Their three children were expelled from the club after a disagreement about showering after exercise, reports the interest group Muslim Rights Watch. According to PSV Handbal, that is not the reason, it says that the parents misbehaved.
The three children were removed as members by PSV Handbal at the end of 2025, something the club also regrets, chairman Toine Lodewijks said in a statement. According to him, it is the first time in the club’s history that children have been expelled from the club.
According to the parents, it was a conflict surrounding showering. Their children would not want to be forced to shower. PSV states that there is indeed misconduct by parents and they advocate a ‘safe sports environment.’
Lodewijks will not comment on what exactly happened because summary proceedings have been filed. “But we would never kick children out of the club if it only concerned whether or not they were required to shower.”
Religion plays a role in conflict
The parents are assisted by the interest group Muslim Rights Watch Netherlands (MRWN), says Adil el Kanfoudi of MRWN.
According to him, religion plays a role for two mothers because Islam does not allow public nudity or seeing others naked outside the family. One of the children does not want to shower at the club. With the summary proceedings they want to have the club’s decision reversed.
Muslim Rights Watch Netherlands came into contact with the parents after they received a letter stating that their children were being expelled after parental misconduct.
Showering is mandatory or not
According to El Kanfoudi, there is no evidence of misconduct, and according to him the club made this up. “According to the parents, the topic of showering collided, they do not know what kind of misconduct it concerns.”
He emphasizes that the club’s website states that it is mandatory to shower. The club writes on the site under information for new members: ‘Showering after training and competition is mandatory, also good for the atmosphere!’. The rules of conduct and interaction do not mention anything about showering or not.
Conversation with mayor about conflict with PSV Handbal
Eindhoven mayor Jeroen Dijsselbloem is also considering the issue, his spokesperson confirms. The parents of the three children had a conversation with him on Tuesday. PSV Handbal previously entered into discussions with the mayor.
According to a spokesperson for the mayor, the conversation went well on Tuesday.
“The parents have expressed their concerns. The conversation last week with PSV Handbal also went well. We will continue to talk to both parties in the near future.” The spokesperson does not want to make any further statements about the content of the conversations.
When is the summary proceedings in connection with ‘duty to shower’?
At the end of the afternoon on Tuesday, the East Brabant court announced that the summary proceedings are scheduled for February 19.
The interest group wants to use the summary proceedings to ensure that the children can return to the club. She also advocates a ban on ‘the shower obligation’, which he believes applies to several sports clubs.
The statement from PSV Handbal
In the PSV Handbal statement, the club points out that safe sports and fun are of paramount importance, just like the well-being and safety of members, trainers and volunteers are at PSV Handbal.
“A situation arose during 2025 that resulted in expulsion. PSV Handbal does not comment on individual cases, but emphasizes that a very detailed process has been completed before expulsion of members.”
According to the club, attempts have been made several times to ‘organise tailor-made solutions between the individual interests of parents and ‘Safe Sports’ for everyone within PSV Handball.’ “This has been discussed several times but not accepted.”
According to the club, there is no coercion or obligation as stated by Muslim Rights Watch. The organization distributes videos about the conflict on social media in which it states that the club forces children to shower and children are forced to shower. “The argumentation mentioned on social media does not underlie the decision taken.”
PSV Handbal writes that it is very shocked by the current situation. The club is calling for de-escalation and an end to a smear campaign that they say originated online.
