northAfter insulting and homophobic statements following the Viennese derby, the officials of the Austrian football club Rapid Vienna face suspensions and possibly a points reduction. “In addition to SK Rapid, all players and officials who appear in the videos will be reported to Senate 1,” reported the Austrian Football Bundesliga. Specifically, they are the general director Steffen Hofmann, the co-coach Stefan Kulovits, the captain Guido BurgstallerMarco Grüll, Thorsten Schick, Maximilian Hofmann and goalkeeper Niklas Hedl.
After twelve derbies in a row without winning, the capital club once again defeated local rival Austria Vienna, Sunday's 3-0 victory was the first prestigious success since September 2019. The team was then coached by Robert Klauß, previously at 1. FC Nuremberg On the sidelines, he cheered loudly in front of the home fans and made several mistakes, as documented by videos circulating on social media.
Insults by megaphone
Manager Hofmann insulted the guests, clearly audible through a megaphone. In addition, the team formed by former Bundesliga professional Burgstaller and Werder Grüll loanee sang homophobic chants. The content of these videos “does not in any way correspond to the values” of football as a whole and of the Austrian Bundesliga in particular, league officials criticized. The comment period for the 32-time national champion is one week.
Even before the complaint, those responsible for Rapid had expressed regret. “Unfortunately, we cannot correct these errors,” Burgstaller is quoted on the club's website: “In this way we also want to clearly distance ourselves from any discrimination and homophobia and apologize to all those whom we have directly or indirectly offended with our behavior. . “.
Hofmann also apologized to his city rival on Monday, calling his words “absolutely inappropriate”: “The joy of winning the derby remains, as does my regret for the choice of words.” Despite all the rivalry, this was not appropriate. Kulovits also acknowledged “a big mistake” and expressed his “sincere regret.” Burgstaller explained that the players “unfortunately did not live up to their role model.”
Future Werder striker apologizes
Marco Grüll, who will join Bundesliga side Werder Bremen this summer, apologized via Instagram: “We, as players, have a certain role model role and in this situation we were not up to that,” he said. the 25-year-old player. . Werder Bremen informed the German Press Agency that it did not wish to comment further on the incident. It was only said that the green-and-whites were in contact with Grüll and that he had shown insight. He “can only sincerely apologize and assure that we will bear all the consequences,” Grüll wrote. “Like my colleagues, I clearly distance myself from any type of exclusion,” he added. And: “Homophobia should have no place in our society.”
The incident is likely to spark discussions in the Weser. Organized fans and the club have been campaigning against discrimination and racism for years. At the beginning of February, Werder announced the signing of the Austrian international for the summer. The forward arrives free.