Anyone involved with SK Rapid also gets involved with the hard core of the Rapid fans.
But not only that, because the person then works for a club with about one million supporters in Austria and some beyond. The list around Alexander Wrabetz, approved for the election of the presidency on November 26 during the general assembly, must also address this issue.
The great influence of the fan scene on the decisions of the green-and-white management is discussed and criticized again and again. President Martin Bruckner even went so far as to state that Rapid had to arrive in the third millennium and that the association, as it is currently constituted, could not be managed.
Too many whisperers, too many influences, too many committees. When asked about fan politics, his possible successor Wrabetz has a soft note and focuses primarily on the positive. “There are no fans of Rapid in the world in a positive sense,” enthuses the former ORF CEO.
Cheers from the fans? “You have to bear it”
In his previous areas of work, he has had a lot to do with difficult fan structures, has also been involved relatively often internationally in rights negotiations at sporting events and also knows the fascination that Rapid have – in part due to the background and the heat – bloody fans.
“It’s something really fantastic! This background of fans makes a positive contribution to football. This is the priority for me,” Wrabetz seems to be very happy to dodge the real question. The fact that support in Vienna-Hütteldorf is above average is not really a new discovery.
On the other hand, it’s much more exciting how Wrabetz can or wants to prevent the big influence of fan groups with the red lines. “Because it is always said that the fans decide so much: the fans elect us at the general assembly, they have very clear rights to participate, they can vote us out or choose another presidency in three years. I think that’s quite normal,” says the 62 -a Viennese year.
“Everything else – whether you get supportive, critical or even negative accusations – you have to put up with when you apply for a position like this. I know it’s difficult, especially when you’re not successful.”
“If the fans ask for something, you can say you don’t”
It gets more interesting when Wrabetz points out that there is no need to respond to fan requests. In the past, procedures like these often led to early departures from Vienna-Hütteldorf.
“Even if the active fan scene requires something specific, you can tell that you do it or not. We also haven’t had any preliminary talks about whether to get support, even knowingly,” Wrabetz points out that there is no contact with Ultras and Co. should have given. Due to the good contacts of the “founders” of the list Steffen Hofmann, Stefan Singer or Stefan Kjaer with the most influential fan clubs, this would be quite surprising if he had not heard.
Only after a long back and forth does Wrabetz admit there are various issues with Rapid fans, but “from a development standpoint, a lot has changed in the fan scene. I have some chants that could be heard in Rapido heard from the industry. Austrian in the last derby “.
“Therefore a lot has already been done and I am sure that if we put our commitment and our expertise into it, it is a development process that must be positively resumed. I don’t see that as our primary goal, “says the prospective club manager. Chief at the bottom of the topic.
Rapid’s claim is to gain additional members in Austria, with the image playing an important role, “but the attempt will be to do so with and in dialogue with the fan scene, and not as a senior teacher”.
Red line announced for fans or just a mission statement?
Michael Hatz, who in the future, together with Hofmann and Michael Tojner, will be responsible for the sporting experience on the Presidium, suggested other words in an interview with NÖN during the week.
“We will develop a clear catalog of values in the presidency. There will be limits and red lines will be drawn”, it seems, in the future they will no longer want to endure everything. In the interview, Hatz was also of the opinion “that not everything has gone perfectly in the past”, even though he doesn’t want to speak ill of fans across the board.
Racing in the square, breaking into the pits, access throughout the stadium, hostility from the people, inappropriate banners are just a few keywords. At the official press event, Hatz is more covered. As a result, there may be no solid red lines for fans.
“I think these are fundamental things that should apply to every citizen in Austria,” Hatz alludes to various crimes. “It is also written in the mission statement, which is binding on all Rapid members and fans. We will also make sure that this mission statement is respected and implemented.”
Wrabetz creates Krammer and Bruckner’s “in-between” office
Appropriately, Wrabetz also answers the question of how he would create his office. Michael Krammer was very present, sought the limelight and commented on each topic. Very different from his successor Martin Bruckner, who was very reserved despite the great crisis and the source of fire and left the stage to other protagonists.
Wrabetz wants to create his office “in the middle”. When ORF was successful, the employees and managers came to the fore and, in case of a problem, it would make itself up. He intends to continue to follow this motto.
“If necessary, I will speak for the presidency, but not every day,” said the only remaining candidate. At Rapid this will inevitably have to be the case more often.
So it remains exciting to see how the management team will position itself in every respect after November 26, should it be elected in this form. The fan theme will certainly not be the last time in the spotlight.
