As if Rapid managing director Steffen Hofmann’s verbal derailment in the followingmath of the Vienna football derby wasn’t enough – now another video has appeared.
This time the protagonists are Stefan Kulovits, assistant coach of Hütteldorfer, as well as captain Guido Burgstaller and Marco Grüll. Kulovits starts a homophobic chant with a megaphone, Burgstaller and Grüll sing along loudly.
SK Rapid issued a statement on Tuesday. On behalf of those involved who sincerely regret this behavior, assistant coach Stefan Kulovits says: “I will also immediately apologize to my colleagues at Wiener Austria in a personal conversation. In the emotion following the liberating derby victory, we made a big mistake. The fan chant we play is in complete contradiction to our values as a club and to my personal values, which I have exemplified in more than two decades in professional football and would like to continue to exemplify. In my circle of friends there are people from all walks of life with different sexual orientations, I can only reiterate my sincere regret for the words we used. The rivalry with our sporting competitors should, without exception, be limited to competition on the grass.”
Captain Guido Burgstaller also has clear words for the players involved and says: “Unfortunately, we cannot undo this mistake. In this way, we would also like to clearly distance ourselves from any discrimination and homophobia and apologize to anyone who we have directly or indirectly offended through our behavior. We are aware that we have a role model effect, and unfortunately we absolutely did not live up to this role with our actions following the game.”
President Alexander Wrabetz and Vice-President Edeltraud Hanappi-Egger say unequivocally regarding the matter: “The SK Rapid Executive Board condemns in the strongest possible terms the recent homophobic statements surrounding the Vienna Derby, which is so enjoyable in terms of sport. The denigration of people based on different characteristics or lifestyles should have no place at Rapid. As is already anchored in our mission statement, we see social diversity as enrichment and, as a green-white community, we want to make a contribution to greater diversity and inclusion. Respect and appreciation for diversity are cornerstones of our club and we expect that everyone who works at Rapid and feels connected to our club also commits to our values. As the executive board, we would also like to apologize for the misconduct documented on videos and will continue to work on this matter internally.”
Vienna Austria reacts
Arch-rival Austria Vienna has at least accepted Hofmann’s apology, as the club announced in a statement: “We take note of Steffen Hofmann’s apology and do not want to add further fuel to the fire.”
“At the same time, we congratulate on yesterday’s well-deserved derby victory,” it continues. But it is also made clear: “Insults and denigrations of any kind clearly contradict the code of conduct of all employees: inside and players: inside our club and do not fit into the worldview of Austria Vienna.” Finally, the “Veilchen” report: “We are proud of Favoriten and see ourselves as deeply rooted with our fans in all districts of the city of Vienna.”
