2. League: Season continuation fix – SV Lafnitz voted against restart

After the Bundesliga, the 2nd division has now decided to continue playing despite the coronavirus pandemic. 15 of 16 clubs voted for it at the club conference on Monday, only SV Lafnitz was loud ORFReport against it.

The Lafnitz team consists almost entirely of semi-professionals, with their regular employer the kickers would first have to get a permit to play in the second division. That is why the Styrians initially did not want to take the risk.

The championship will continue on June 5, will mostly be played without English rounds and will end on July 31. 11 rounds are still outstanding in the semi-professional league.

The prevention concept, initially developed for the top league, and its hygiene measures are implemented in the game. Weekly PCR tests should also be carried out in this way. There was a unanimous decision from the clubs. Due to the fact that all ÖFB leagues in the 2nd division have already been canceled, there will be no relegations.

2.Liga: Bundesliga supports with 400,000 euros

“Today is a good day”, emphasized league board member Christian Ebenbauer. This is mainly because the discussion about a possible increase in the Bundesliga to 14 clubs has come to an end. The Viennese had never believed in the continuation of the season in the past and had recently spoken of a 50:50 chance.

“It is once again proof that everything can change on a daily basis. I think that has to do with solidarity and gathering in the sense that one simply says that we have to do everything together,” said Ebenbauer when asked why rethinking has taken place at the clubs.

The financial support of the Bundesliga certainly played a major role in this. The support fund that was decided in autumn for infrastructure measures for the second division is now being used for Corona. “It is certainly at least 400,000 euros,” said Ebenbauer. But that would not be enough for the clubs. “It’s just a drop in the bucket,” added the league boss.

Therefore, like in the top division, the league hopes for political support. “We tried to at least alleviate the greatest pain with reallocations, but in the long term we will definitely need support, just like any other commercial enterprise,” said Ebenbauer.

2nd league: match schedule & venues remain the same

The game plan remains unchanged. Only two English rounds will be held, one in a week with a public holiday. This has to do with the fact that not all actors are professionals. Amateur players who pursue a “bread profession” alongside football may not be included in the squad. “This has to be arranged in one-on-one discussions between the clubs and the players,” said Ebenbauer.

In addition, individual contractual agreements with the actors are necessary, since the season will continue throughout July after the contracts expire. “It is now the most essential work of the clubs to speak to the individual players so that you have legal certainty here,” said Ebenbauer.

The league board did not expect any major problems. “From my point of view, the players have to be interested because they cannot start with a new employer during this time.” Each team has a 25-man squad available for the finish. The existing cooperation player regulation with partner clubs from the upper house remains.

The games will be played according to the current status in the respective home stadiums and as usual on the Internet on laola1.tv or partly on television on ORF Sports + transfer. There is still talk of an expansion of live coverage on TV. “Laola supports us in the PCR tests, so that the costs drop here too,” revealed Ebenbauer.

Restart in 2nd league: preparation very short

The teams have only been able to hold team training since Friday, but very few of the clubs have so far made use of this opportunity. The preparation is therefore extremely short. “Under the circumstances, if you want to achieve a sporting result, that’s the only way. It’s the only way,” said Ebenbauer. Every club has the opportunity to play a friendly before the start of the season.

The joy about the decision on Monday in the warehouse of Ried and Austria Klagenfurt was particularly great. In the event of a cancellation, the two top teams would have tried to increase the Bundesliga by complaining. “I am very grateful to the clubs for the solidarity in the 2nd division, that they voted for the continuation with such a large majority and that they approved the concept of the Bundesliga,” said Rieds managing director Roland Daxl.

The penultimate important step has now been taken. “The last step must now be on the green lawn,” Daxl is aware. The Innviertel residents, who forego grants from the Bundesliga pot, are eight points ahead of Klagenfurt. “It’s a long way, but we are far from giving up,” said Klagenfurt coach Robert Micheu.

2nd league table before restart

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