Rapid Vienna Coach Reacts To Suggestions Firecrackers Could Get Matches Abandoned

Rapid Vienna coach Robert Klauß has dismissed suggestions that games should be abandoned if firecrackers are thrown onto the pitch during Austrian Bundesliga matches.

The ongoing violence at the recent Vienna Derby continues to cast a shadow over Austrian football. There has been widespread debate on how to handle the troubling behaviour of certain fans, with differing views emerging across the football landscape. A suggestion from Bundesliga CEO Christian Ebenbauer to abandon matches in cases where firecrackers are thrown has drawn mixed reactions.

Klauß, speaking on Talk & Tore on Sky, criticized the idea as impractical: “That is completely out of touch with reality. Then I provoke game abandonments and smuggle firecrackers into opposing fan blocks. That is exactly what we don’t want.”

Instead of halting matches, Klauß advocates for enhanced security measures and a more robust presence of law enforcement. “It doesn’t always look nice, but it deters and helps,” he stated. Klauß emphasized the importance of allowing the teams to decide the outcomes of games, rather than external factors. “We have to make sure that we work out solutions with the fans. It also involves clearer and better police deployment so that we can have a de-escalating effect and position ourselves better in advance,” he added, referencing more stringent security protocols in his home country of Germany.

Klauß’s comments highlight the need for a balance between maintaining the integrity of the sport and ensuring safety within the stadium, a sentiment that resonates in light of recent tragic events surrounding the derby, and indeed involving Vitesse fans in Netherlands over the weekend.

In an incident reported by a Rapid Vienna fan on the Austrian Soccer Board forum, a supporter was placed in an artificial coma following a physical assault by a drunk individual at the Hütteldorf train station after the game. The police confirmed the incident, which occurred after Vienna derby, adding another tragic layer to the violence that has plagued this high-stakes fixture.

Fortunately, the fan has since provided a positive update on his father’s condition. As of Friday, the man had woken up from his coma and is expected to leave the intensive care unit soon. “We just shook off the artificial coma for our cup game at the Hohe Warte (note: Donaufeld). He has made such good progress over the last two days that he may be able to leave the intensive care unit tomorrow! We are literally over the hill, but we still have to cross the valley…,” the son wrote on the forum, expressing relief while also thanking others for their support.

The violence in the Vienna derby did not stop at this isolated incident. Following the final whistle, chaos erupted as fans from both sides invaded the pitch, and pyrotechnics were launched between opposing supporters. The situation rapidly deteriorated, with a mass brawl breaking out on the pitch and in the stands. It took several minutes for police to intervene, after which they resorted to using tear gas to separate the fighting fans.

Multiple injuries were reported, with at least one individual being transported away by emergency services. Austria Vienna’s sports director, Manuel Ortlechner, expressed his dismay during an interview with ORF: “What is happening here is absolutely unnecessary.”

Austria Vienna coach Stephan Helm echoed Ortlechner’s sentiments, stating, “It is shocking that such riots can occur in a country like Austria. You can’t actually attend such an event with your family; you have to be afraid.” Helm’s concerns underscore the growing safety fears for families and ordinary fans attending these high-profile matches. He questioned where the necessary solutions lie, adding, “It has nothing to do with football, the football platform is being used for completely different things.”

Rapid Vienna coach Robert Klauß also voiced his concerns about the violence, stating, “Nobody wants to see these images. That doesn’t belong in the stadium; we have to prevent that. It damages our external image, our perception. We can’t look away, but I can’t offer any blanket solutions either.”

Rapid captain Guido Burgstaller added: “I hope that those who caused this are held accountable. One can only hope that this never happens again. This simply has no place in a stadium. Even if emotions run high, if violence is involved and other people are injured, that is simply not acceptable.” Burgstaller’s words reflect the frustration within the footballing community, where emotions surrounding such matches are high but should never escalate into violence.

Site Opinion

The violence witnessed in the Vienna derby not only damages the reputation of Austrian football but also highlights the broader issue of fan safety in high-stakes matches. The debate over how to address this problem, particularly around whether games should be abandoned, is indicative of a larger struggle between maintaining order and respecting the integrity of the sport. While abandoning games may seem a drastic measure, it also risks incentivizing destructive behaviour, as Robert Klauß pointed out. A better approach may involve heightened security measures, better coordination with fan groups, and stronger penalties for those involved in violence.

Furthermore, it is clear that the consequences of these violent clashes extend beyond the stadium. The attack on the Rapid fan’s father serves as a stark reminder that this is not just a problem for football clubs but for the communities that surround them. Football is meant to be a unifying force, not a source of fear or danger. The Austrian football authorities, clubs, and police must work together to create a safer environment, ensuring that the focus remains on the sport and not on the troubling actions of a few.