Incendiary speech by Klauß:

“The pig has been driven through the village enough!”

Rapid coach Robert Klauß(Bild: Screenshot Rapid TV)

"This had to come out," said Rapid coach Robert Klauß at the press conference before the game against LASK, after he reviewed the recent incidents surrounding suspensions and points deductions in his incendiary speech. "The pig has been driven through the village long enough. Stop at this point!"

Recently, Rapid has been less about soccer. That should now change again. Friday's match against LASK is on the agenda. "We've had two weeks of unrest, we finally want to concentrate on soccer again. We've had a lot of discussions internally and worked through everything. The pig has been driven through the village long enough," said Klauß.

He stood protectively in front of his team. "Our boys are of impeccable character, they are not homophobic or xenophobic. They behaved like shit, they made a huge mistake. They know that too. And yet you have to separate behavior from character. They are not bad people," says Klauß.

Anyone who has never been verbally derailed should raise their finger - I can't do it.

Rapid-Trainer Robert Klauß

"Stop right there!"
Everyone is currently using the opportunity to "point the finger at us". No one has "cared if there were homophobic fan chants" in recent years. "Anyone who has never been verbally derailed should raise their finger - I can't do it. Now everyone is coming and everyone is trying to stir up the topic again. Stop at this point! I had to get that out."

He is not concerned with the two minus points with which Rapid will start the coming 2024/25 season. "We'll take it as it comes. The case is with our lawyers and the management."

Instead, the focus should be on the essentials. "The current reality is LASK, that's in my head now." And then Rapid also wants to make positive headlines again in sporting terms ...