Sturm’s “first serious incident” was recorded, while Rapid’s was the second after the derby at Wiener Austria in March. The Green-Whites therefore received a conditional deduction of three points for the coming season. The point deduction would be significant in the event of the third serious incident within the next 24 months. According to the Bundesliga, the fine for Sturm was twice as high as for Rapid because more illegal pyrotechnic objects were used. In addition, the game interruption lasted a little longer.
Sturm and Rapid immediately announced their objection to the extent of the sentence. “From our point of view, a very harsh verdict in which the immediate measures, sanctions and proactive steps for future improvement that we ourselves imposed were not taken into account,” said Sturm Managing Director for Economic Affairs, Thomas Tebbich. The club wants to clarify its position once again and continues to work to maintain the stadium as a safe place for sport.
During the game between Sturm and Salzburg on September 16th, fireworks from the home fans’ sector caused an interruption that lasted several minutes. At Rapid against Sturm on September 24th, the “Ultras” celebrated their existence to such an extent that a ten-minute break was necessary. Sector bans relating to the misuse of pyrotechnic objects have been abolished for some time now; according to the current catalog of penalties, points can be deducted for “serious violations”.
GEPA/Hans Oberlaender Two Bundesliga games in quick succession had to be interrupted due to the use of pyrotechnics
Rapid has “reached the second escalation level”
“Since the second escalation level has already been reached at SK Rapid, the unconditional fine had to be combined with a conditional deduction of points for the coming season according to the sanction concept imposed by the Bundesliga clubs themselves,” the league stated in its statement.
In a rapid broadcast, managing director Steffen Hofmann said: “After legal consultation, we will object to Senate 1’s decision, as the level of punishment with a hefty fine and a possible deduction of points represents an extremely harsh decision.”
debate
How will the fall championship develop?
In principle, the league emphasized that due to the large number and the dangerousness of the pyrotechnic objects, the fines in the specified amount had to be imposed due to the catalog of measures: “The escalation in the use of pyrotechnics and the associated immediate danger for everyone involved on site force the Senate 1 the Austrian Football Bundesliga to impose these sanctions.”
Conditional ban for Austria coach Wimmer
A conditional one-game ban was imposed on Austria coach Michael Wimmer for violating the spirit of fair play. In the derby against Rapid, the German signaled to his goalkeeper Christian Früchtl that he had injured his thigh during a break in the game after the second red card against his team.
Salzburg defender Strahinja Pavlovic, who was given a one-game suspension after an “emergency brake” in the game against Klagenfurt, will have to watch closely in the coming round. WAC President Dietmar Riegler was banned from staying inside the stadium at Wolfsberger’s next five home games after criticizing a referee.
