“We couldn’t believe our eyes when the game actually kicked off,” said an astonished Micheldorf fan when the match in the Upper Austria League against St. Martin/Mühlkreis kicked off on Friday despite the heavy rain. The home team was also astonished: “We were actually in contact with the referee all day, sent him pictures and videos of our pitch and pointed out to him that we didn’t think the pitch would be playable with more rain. We also wanted him to come to Micheldorf earlier to see for himself. But he refused,” says Micheldorf section leader Stefan Prieler.
The club from Kremstal behaved exactly as the Upper Austrian Football Association had recommended in a message: to contact the match manager in advance so that the match could be cancelled at that point. That did not happen in Micheldorf, although by midday – the OÖN has a photo – there were puddles all over the pitch.
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Referee Robert Steinacher finally arrived at the match venue at 5:45 p.m. – the guests from the Mühlviertel had already arrived by then. “One half was relatively good, the other was difficult to play. It was clear that the forecasts were not going to improve,” said St. Martin coach Andreas Luksch. To the surprise of many, Steinacher still kicked off the match. Prieler: “He threw the ball and did a roll test, and then he was of the opinion that the conditions were OK.”
What happens next?
At halftime, however, the referee changed his mind and called off the game due to the heavy rainfall. Much to the annoyance of the visitors, because: “It’s bitter because we were leading 1-0. Of course, the conditions got worse and worse, but that was foreseeable. This could have been decided much earlier.”
While the 52-year-old coach from Mühlviertel is now hoping that only the missing half will be added on, Micheldorf is insisting on a replay – and in this case probably has a better chance of success. The basic rule is: if a game is abandoned in the first half, a replay is always decided anyway. If – for whatever reason – the game cannot be completed in the second half, there is the possibility that only the remaining playing time will be made up.
However, this case usually only occurs when there is a high probability that nothing relevant will change in the score. However, this is not the case when the score is close, such as 1:0 in the match in question. There is therefore much to be said for a complete replay – but the final decision on this will be made by the penalty committee of the Upper Austrian Football Association on Wednesday.
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– What happened during the Upper Austria League match between Micheldorf and St. Martin/Mühlkreis?
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“Match in Upper Austria League Goes Ahead Despite Heavy Rain, Leaving Fans and Club in Disbelief
In a shocking turn of events, a match in the Upper Austria League between Micheldorf and St. Martin/Mühlkreis kicked off on Friday despite heavy rain, leaving fans and the home team in disbelief.
Micheldorf Club Leader Speaks Out
According to Micheldorf section leader Stefan Prieler, the club was in contact with the referee throughout the day, sending him pictures and videos of the pitch and expressing concerns about its playability. However, the referee refused to come to Micheldorf earlier to assess the situation, leading to the match going ahead as scheduled.
Contrast to Upper Austrian Football Association’s Recommendations
The Upper Austrian Football Association had advised clubs to contact the match manager in advance if they suspected the pitch might be unplayable, allowing for the match to be cancelled at that point. Unfortunately, this process was not followed in Micheldorf, despite the pitch being waterlogged and having puddles all over it by midday.
Fan Reaction
Fans were left stunned when the match kicked off, with one Micheldorf fan stating, “We couldn’t believe our eyes when the game actually started.” The fan’s astonishment is understandable, given the state of the pitch and the potential safety risks to the players.
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The Importance of Safety in Football
Incidents like this highlight the importance of prioritizing player safety in football. Heavy rain and waterlogged pitches can lead to slippery surfaces, increasing the risk of injuries and accidents. It is crucial that referees, clubs, and associations take a proactive approach to ensuring the safety and well-being of players, officials, and spectators.
The Future of Football in Upper Austria
As the season continues, it remains to be seen how this incident will impact the Upper Austria League and football in the region as a whole. One thing is certain, however – the safety and well-being of all involved must come first.
Keywords: Upper Austria League, Micheldorf, St. Martin/Mühlkreis, heavy rain, pitch conditions, player safety, football association, referee decision.
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