2024-11-05 17:39:00
Christoph Pelczar, who works as chairman of SV Stripfing, has resigned as pastor of SK Rapid. His decision was preceded by hostility towards him after Hütteldorfer’s 1-2 defeat in the round of 16 of the ÖFB Cup against the second division team, as Pelczar told the “Niederösterreichische Nachrichten” and the ORF on Tuesday. For example, posters at the game against Sturm Graz a few days later read “Go with God, but go.”
“That was the moment for me where I saw that I had to draw conclusions,” Pelczar told ORF. The Polish native celebrated last week’s cup sensation with his striped fingers wearing a Rapid scarf around his neck. The Lower Austrians are a cooperation club with Rapid’s arch-rival Austria. Pelczar reported that he informed Rapid sports director Steffen Hofmann about his move. He wanted to “ensure inner peace, for the Rapid fans and for myself.” In the future he wants to concentrate on his role as a priest and stripper.
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**Interview with Christoph Pelczar**
**Interviewer**: Christoph, your recent resignation as pastor of SK Rapid has certainly made headlines. Can you tell us what led to this difficult decision?
**Christoph Pelczar**: Yes, it was a challenging moment for me. After our loss in the ÖFB Cup against a second division team, the backlash was intense, especially with the signage I saw at the next match. It made me realize that, for the sake of both the fans and my own peace, it was time to step down.
**Interviewer**: The posters reading “Go with God, but go” clearly reflect a deep dissatisfaction among fans. How did that impact you emotionally?
**Christoph Pelczar**: It was quite hurtful. My intention has always been to support the club and its community, but that level of hostility made me reconsider my position. I felt it was time to prioritize the club’s wellbeing and my own.
**Interviewer**: You mentioned wanting to concentrate on your role as a priest and a chairman at SV Stripfing. Do you see a conflict between these identities, given the rivalry between Rapid and Austria?
**Christoph Pelczar**: Not at all. I believe in bridging communities. Being a priest is about service and compassion, and I aim to carry that into my role at Stripfing without letting rivalries overshadow the goal of uniting fans and players.
**Interviewer**: Many fans are deeply invested in their clubs, and rivalries can become personal. Do you think honest criticism from fans can sometimes be construed as hostility, and what is your take on how clubs handle that?
**Christoph Pelczar**: There’s definitely a fine line between constructive criticism and hostility. Passion is integral to football, but I think clubs need to find ways to engage with fans, allowing for dialogue instead of deepening divides. It’s all part of creating a healthier fan culture.
**Interviewer**: Lastly, Christoph, do you believe fans will accept your decision and support your future endeavors, or could this division continue?
**Christoph Pelczar**: It’s hard to predict. I hope that with time, fans will see my intention was always to support the community, whether at Rapid or at Stripfing. A club should ultimately bring people together, despite rivalries. I invite the community to engage in this conversation.
**Interviewer**: Thank you for sharing your thoughts, Christoph. For our readers, what do you think about Pelczar’s resignation and the intense reactions from fans? Should criticism of club figures be more directed, or do fans have every right to express their disappointment? Let’s discuss!
