Personnel changes at ÖFB

Prödl and Perchtold introduced ++ no Saudi veto

Sebastian Prödl (l.) takes over as head of youth development, Peter Perchtold (r.) becomes the new U21 team manager.(Bild: GEPA)

With Sebastian Prödl as head of youth development and Peter Perchtold as team manager of the U21 national team, the ÖFB presented two new personnel on Wednesday (today). Meanwhile, the staging of the 2034 World Cup in Saudi Arabia continues to cause a stir ...

ÖFB sporting director Peter Schöttel announced on Wednesday what has been known for a long time: Peter Perchtold, Ralf Rangnick's coaching partner, will be the new U21 team manager, while 73-time international Sebastian Prödl will be the new head of youth work in the soccer association ...

ÖFB sports director Peter Schöttel(Bild: GEPA pictures)

Congress via home office
... whom interim president Wolfgang Bartosch is representing on the world stage for the first time today. At home in Styria. Because the FIFA Congress is a virtual event. It is about the awarding of the World Cup. A formality - but nonetheless explosive. The 2030 World Cup will be held in Spain, Portugal and Morocco (plus one match each in Uruguay, Paraguay and Argentina). The 2034 World Cup in Saudi Arabia.

The outcry from human rights organizations is correspondingly great. This is because the "Kingdom" is considered to be even more repressive than Qatar. Many of the 211 associations (including Germany and the Netherlands) decided in advance to vote in favor of the Saudis. Instead of a boycott, they wanted to seek a bilateral exchange. The ÖFB has not officially declared its support, Bartosch, who receives a voting code from FIFA, is to decide after the presentation. But the Styrian, i.e. the ÖFB, will probably not veto the decision either.

ÖFB President Wolfgang Bartosch(Bild: Christian Jauschowetz)

The crux of the matter: Bartosch cannot only vote against the Saudis, but only for or against both World Cup hosts. Typical of FIFA boss Gianni Infantino. And there are no other candidates.