APA ticker
/
TODAY • 6:00 AM
/ 4 minutes reading time
—
–
The coronavirus pandemic has put Austrian football in a state of shock. Games and training have been suspended for more than a month, and the forced break has threatened the existence of some clubs, especially at the professional level. Solutions are now being sought – first on Wednesday at an ÖFB Presidium meeting and the next day at the Bundesliga club conference.
–
In the ÖFB Presidium, all competitions in the country, from youngsters to women’s football, amateur leagues and the Bundesliga to the Cup – are put to the test. Since sports minister and vice chancellor Werner Kogler announced a ban on events a few days ago and ghost games at amateur level are not an issue, the cancellation of all lower leagues is only a formal act, which will be carried out on Wednesday.
–
In this context, the question of the rating of the abandoned leagues is more interesting. There is a tendency here for the previous championship course to be canceled and to start again in the summer – if the Corona situation should allow this at all. In theory, the handling of the canceled championships could be handled differently by the state associations, but several heads of state recently emphasized in public statements that a uniform regulation should be found throughout Austria.
–
On the agenda, in addition to a possible final stop of the 2nd league, there is also the question of how the season in the upper house would be rated in the event of an abandonment. The decision-making authority lies with the ÖFB Presidium. The further procedure in the event of a demolition is also of immense financial importance, after all, in addition to the championship title, it is also about the distribution of the European Cup places and relegation.
–
The championship was suspended after the end of the basic round, ten rounds in the master and qualification group are still outstanding. According to the current situation, St. Pölten would have relocated. However, the Lower Austrians would take legal means in the event of a ranking of this table stand, which is why an increase from 12 to 13 or 14 clubs (with Ried and possibly Austria Klagenfurt) is likely – always provided that the Bundesliga season does not end brought.
–
Since the championship can theoretically be finalized up to the beginning or middle of August, a resumption would even be conceivable at the beginning of July at the latest if the Europa League play-off is dispensed with. It is currently officially paused until the beginning of May. A postponement of this date will be discussed at the league club conference, which, like the ÖFB Presidium meeting, will be carried out using video.
–
All Oberhaus clubs recently emphasized that they wanted to bring the championship across the finish line on the lawn. And yet the motivation to play ghost games in times of a pandemic is different. The second-placed Red Bull Salzburg absolutely wants to play again, the LASK was more reluctant to do so. Not entirely by chance, because Linz would be masters if they were abandoned and scored after 22 rounds.
–
LASK President Siegmund Gruber, as a Bundesliga member of the Supervisory Board of the ÖFB Presidium, is just as entitled to vote as Philipp Thonhauser (Admira) and League Executive Board member Christian Ebenbauer, plus the nine regional heads and ÖFB President Leo Windtner. In the event of a termination, a legal opinion commissioned by the ÖFB is of particular importance.
–
Should the current state of the Bundesliga table be evaluated, LASK would play in the play-off and Salzburg in the qualification for the Champions League. Rapid would be third in the Europa League group stage – but only if Salzburg wins the cup final against Austria Lustenau. The game would have been scheduled for May 1st at the Klagenfurt Wörthersee Stadium. Whether or when the match takes place will also be discussed at the ÖFB meeting.
– –
