The area around the Merkur Arena in Graz-Liebenau was declared a security area from noon to midnight – but the police hope not to have to exhaust this precautionary measure, says spokesman Markus Lamb: “It is a possibility to reduce violence in the area of major sporting events impede. This is based on a risk assessment. And this area gives the police a handle against violent criminals when they launch dangerous attacks.”
GAK – Sturm
The first Graz football derby in the Merkur Arena in 15 years will kick off at 6 p.m. ORF 1 broadcasts live, as does steiermark.ORF.at, and you won’t miss a thing with Radio Steiermark either!
This security area includes the area within the following streets: Conrad-von-Hötzendorf-Straße No. 151 – Evangelimanngasse – Harmsdorfgasse – Weinholdstraße – Dr.-Lister-Gasse – Lortzinggasse to the intersection with Liebenauer Hauptstraße – Raiffeisenstraße No. 176 – Lisztgasse intersection – Kollwitzgasse – Eduard-Keil-Gasse – Kasernstraße to the intersection with Senefeldergasse – Raiffeisenstraße No. 61 – Conrad-von-Hötzendorf-Straße No. 151.
Fine of up to 1,000 euros
Hooligans who are already known to the authorities are not allowed into the security zone from the outset, and rioters can be expelled from the security area – they face a fine of up to 1,000 euros or four weeks in prison.
Large police force from several federal states
The executive itself will be represented with a large contingent around the stadium, explains Lamb: “We are using operational units from several federal states. This is due to past experience. Here you want to be well positioned and also secure in terms of personnel in order to be able to steer the flow of fans accordingly and to ensure safety as best as possible.
There were already provocations in the run-up to the game: in addition to numerous postings on various social media channels, a red-painted pig hanging from a motorway bridge caused a sensation and outrage – more on this in Provocation before the Graz city derby.
Not only because of these actions, the police are loudly in favor of respectful cooperation: “As the police, we have done our homework in the best possible way and are well prepared for the upcoming derby in Graz. If necessary, we can take appropriate action. Now it’s up to every single football fan to make this city derby an emotional but peaceful football festival for the families in our city,” says Head of Operations Willibald Gutschi.
The two clubs and their fan clubs are held accountable or taken at their word: “Despite sporting rivalries, both clubs have assured us of their efforts and efforts to ensure fair cooperation. We assume that these are not just empty phrases and that both clubs actually live and implement their respective models and principles – such as respect and dignity – in our common city.
Arrival by public transport recommended
The police assume that most of the Derby fans will come from Graz: “Sometimes, of course, there are also people arriving from outside – traffic is a big issue here. However, public transport should remain largely freely accessible,” says police spokesman Lamb.
Both clubs call for fan marches from 2 p.m. Therefore, from then on, among other things, Conrad-von-Hötzendorf-Straße and Münzgrabenstraße will be closed – according to the police, these closures should only last as short as possible due to the occasion – but traffic disruptions are to be expected.
“As far as car traffic is concerned, it is of course a challenge in terms of parking spaces, etc. Here we ask that you do without the vehicle if it is not absolutely necessary. For all those arriving by car on the autobahn, it makes sense to exit at Murpark in order to reduce traffic congestion,” explains Lamb.
