After derby scandal

LIVE from 11 a.m.: Rapid comment on league penalties

Alexander Wrabetz (left) and Edeltraud Hanappi-Egger (right) commented on the penalties and presented the catalog of measures.(Bild: GEPA, zVg)

Following the harsh punishments due to the insulting and partly homophobic derailments after the derby, Rapid spoke out in detail at a press conference on Tuesday (see video above). President Alexander Wrabetz announced a protest against the player penalties and the immediate implementation of the catalog of measures.

The judgment against the players was "very harsh", said Wrabetz. "The players made it very clear yesterday that they accept responsibility. They have credibly apologized." The Bundesliga's penalty panel nevertheless handed down unconditional penalties to all officials and players involved and imposed a conditional deduction of three points on the club. Those affected include managing director Steffen Hofmann, assistant coach Stefan Kulovits as well as Guido Burgstaller, Marco Grüll, Thorsten Schick, Maximilian Hofmann and Niklas Hedl.

Rapid President Alexander Wrabetz (right)(Bild: GEPA, zVg)

"We will lodge a protest in the interests of the players and also in the interests of the sport, with regard to the unconditional penalties imposed on the players," said Wrabetz. However, Burgstaller, Grüll and Co. will be absent for the showdown for the top six in Klagenfurt on Sunday. "The team should be able to prepare for the deciding match in the best possible way and ensure that we remain in the championship group despite the absence of key players. I am convinced that we will succeed. Rapid is always at its strongest when we face special challenges."

Comparison with incident in Paris
Wrabetz also said: "There is a comparative case where, in a much more serious case in Paris, four players who took part in these activities on the pitch were given a one-match suspended sentence." And he made it clear: "As Rapid, we do not tolerate homophobic attitudes. It is very important for us to raise awareness that such chants have no place." Rapid has "the best fan scene in Austria and one that is the envy of the whole of Europe. The issue needs to be addressed and solved together with the fan scene."

Homophobic chants after victory
On February 25, Hütteldorf defeated Austria 3:0 and won a home derby for the first time in ten years. In the days that followed, disturbing videos emerged that had been recorded during the victory celebrations. First, it became public that Steffen Hofmann lashed out at the city rivals. Hours later, a recording showed and heard Kulovits and the five players chanting homophobic chants against Austria together with fans.

List of measures 
The seven Rapid players involved must take part in three one-hour workshops in schools. The club also presented a catalog of measures to combat homophobia and sexism on Tuesday. The goals are:

• A constructive confrontation with the issues of homophobia and sexism as well as all types of discrimination.

• Sustainable cultural change by initiating a long-term learning process.

"We have the power to make a difference," says Vice President Edeltraud Hanappi-Egger.