After the riots at the Vienna derby, the Bundesliga’s criminal senate has now passed its verdict. Both teams will be subject to the same sanctions:
Both Rapid and Austria have to pay a fine of 150,000 euros (which is the maximum penalty) “for breach of security, misuse of pyrotechnic objects and discriminatory chants,” as it is said.
There is also a two-year home sector ban for three games for both clubs, but limited to derbies and games against Red Bull Salzburg, Sturm Graz and LASK.
If incidents occur again, the said sanction will come into force. In addition, in this case, according to the league, โopposite sectors must also be closed for security reasonsโ. In addition, the โaway sector may not be used for home fans in this case and the home club must ensure that the formation of an alternative fan sector is also prevented in the other parts of the stadium.โ
No protest from Rapid
The SK Rapid has already announced in a broadcast that it will not lodge a protest because the misconduct, which it condemns in the strongest possible terms, is โundisputedโ.
The Criminal Senate gave the following reasons for the verdict:
“The incidents at the Vienna Derby posed a health risk for many spectators and the resulting images 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.”
This was โunfortunately, once againโ not the case. Due to the seriousness of the incidents, the maximum fine should be imposed.
โHowever, the efforts of both clubs with the voluntary waiver of away 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,โ it explains.
“Senate 1 welcomes this approach in this specific case and therefore this sanction appeared to be expedient in conjunction with the development of safe framework conditions for the future Vienna derbies by the two clubs concerned. However, if incidents occur again, the home sector will also be banned three games in conjunction with further security measures,” it concludes.
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