The investigation into those fans who stormed onto the pitch after the Green and Whites’ 2-1 win on September 22nd and caused wild scenes is ongoing. While Austria, upon request, named around 20 people who were applying for a stadium ban from the Bundesliga, Rapid cannot provide a specific number. The Hütteldorfers refer to the ongoing investigations by the executive branch. They “don’t want to make any water level reports” and “only give a specific number once the evaluations have been completed,” it said in a written statement. “Unfortunately, we cannot estimate the period because we are dependent on the executive branch.” According to Rapid, identifying the troublemakers is “very challenging” because of their masking.
Rapid has separated from the employee whose active participation in the scuffle – he attacked an Austria fan with a corner flag – had irritated. The club placed the fan representative off duty with immediate effect immediately after videos appeared on the Internet. The employment relationship has now been terminated, it was said upon request.
There were 577 advertisements after the most recent derby, after Rapid and Austria fans threw pyrotechnic objects at each other and fought on the grass. According to police reports, 27 people were injured in the escalation of violence, including ten officers. The majority of the reports were administrative offenses under the Pyrotechnics Act. But more than 150 also related to criminal law; there was one arrest for serious bodily harm. The catch: over 400 reports were filed against unknown perpetrators.
Although there are numerous video recordings of the events from TV rights partner Sky, among others, many of the rioters were masked. When the police finally intervened, the hooligans stormed back into the stands. Quite a few of the pitch strikers can also be described as “riot tourists” by friendly fan clubs from abroad. The investigation is therefore difficult, as Austria also emphasizes.
The Violets, for their part, reacted by banning around 20 people identified by the police. Stadium bans are being applied to the league, according to an Austria spokesman. In addition – analogous to Rapid – one is dependent on further findings from the executive branch.
In the Bundesliga you are currently also taking on the role of observer. She also refers to ongoing investigations that are likely to extend into November. Rapid and Austria each received a fine of 150,000 euros due to the riots. The comparatively mild verdict could be explained by the fact that the city rivals had shown understanding and agreed that the next four derbies would take place without away fans.
