Senate 1 of the Bundesliga has decided on the punishment against Rapid and Austria Vienna after the riots at the derby. Both clubs are sentenced to a fine of 150,000 euros each and a home fan sector ban for three games. However, the said home fan sector ban is conditionally extended to 24 months and, in the event of revocation, applies to the following opponents: SK Rapid, FK Austria Wien, FC Red Bull Salzburg, SK Sturm or LASK.
Incidentally, the previously imposed conditional point deduction against Rapid was not revoked.
No protest from both clubs
In the event of a home fan sector blocking, opposing sectors will also be blocked for security reasons. In this case, the away sector may not be used for home fans and the home club must ensure that the formation of an alternative fan sector is also prevented in the other parts of the stadium.
Both clubs were convicted of violating safety and misusing pyrotechnic objects, while Rapid was also convicted of discriminatory chants.
Rapid’s initial statement stated that they had taken note of the verdict and would not be registering any protest, as there was undisputed misconduct surrounding the derby, which SK Rapid would also condemn “in the strongest possible terms”.
Austria also announces that it does not want to protest. President Kurt Gollowitzer explains: “Austria Vienna expressly distances itself from any form or glorification of violence. Any violation of this will be punished consistently by us. Both the best possible prevention and unmistakable toughness towards those responsible will be our contribution to a safe stadium experience. “Austria Vienna stands for a non-violent, open society as well as fair, respectful and sporty football duels.”
According to Austria, the first people involved in the riots have already been identified and the corresponding announced steps will be taken in the coming days.
The justification of the criminal senate
In its reasons for the judgment, Senate 1 complained about a “health risk for many viewers”. The resulting images would have massively damaged the image of both clubs, the Bundesliga and Austrian football as a whole.
“The Vienna derby should be a showcase for domestic football and a positive experience, especially for young fans. Unfortunately, this was not the case once again. “Due to the seriousness of the incidents, the maximum penalty in terms of fines had to be imposed,” it says.
Mitigating circumstances
However, the efforts of both clubs with the voluntary waiver of guest fans at the next four derbies as well as the approach to jointly develop new framework conditions and a new approach were taken into account as mitigating circumstances: “Senate 1 welcomes this approach in the specific case and that is why it appeared Sanction in connection with the development of safe framework conditions for the future Vienna derbies by the two clubs concerned is deemed appropriate.”
The warning from the Criminal Senate: “However, if incidents occur again, the home sector will also be suspended for three games in conjunction with further security measures.”
