The Austrian Football Association (ÖFB) has rejected SK Rapid’s efforts after the cup final against Sturm Graz was relocated from Klagenfurt’s Wörthersee Stadium to Vienna’s Happel Stadium on April 30th. “That’s not an issue for us,” said Bernhard Neuhold, Managing Director of ÖFB Wirtschaftsbetriebe GmbH, on Easter Sunday at APA. Rapids Sport managing director Markuskatzer had previously spoken out in the Sky interview for a change of venue.
Katzener justified this with the higher spectator capacity in the Vienna Prater and the avoidance of problems when fans arrived. “I think it would be sensible to think about it. I would support it, but it will be decided by others,” saidkatzer. The Rapid sports director also said: “There are different ways of getting there where the fans simply meet. I think there could be some problems here and there in terms of risk, so it would be more sensible.”
The Klagenfurt Arena offers space for around 30,000 spectators, the Happel Stadium almost 20,000 more. In addition, a car-free day is scheduled for April 30 around Lake Wörthersee, which should make it more difficult to get there. However, many fans have already booked their quarters for the final, and the time factor also speaks against a transfer – advance ticket sales for the match in Carinthia start on Tuesday. Neuhold referred to an upright decision by the ÖFB Presidium. “We also have a contractual agreement with Klagenfurt.”
According to Neuhold, a first meeting with the executive and the clubs is scheduled for Tuesday at the same time as the advance sale starts. A further meeting with Rapid and Sturm will follow on Wednesday. “I heard that Rapid argued for the Happel Stadium,” said the ÖFB manager. But he is also in dialogue with Sturm. The Styrians would “clearly” speak out in favor of retaining the Klagenfurt location.
The official security meeting in Klagenfurt with all officials will follow on April 18th. All details regarding safety and traffic are coordinated there. “We as the ÖFB are responsible for stadium security and the handling of the event itself,” explained Neuhold. Arrival and departure of the fans are an issue for the authorities. The decisions in this regard lie primarily with the Carinthian State Police Headquarters and the City of Klagenfurt.
“We are aware that it will be a challenge because the two teams with the strongest fans, Rapid and Sturm, meet,” said Neuhold. But he is not worried about the organization. “It’s nice when we can play a cup final in front of a full house.” The Happel Stadium would have even more seats. But it was a long process to get to the final location in Klagenfurt. The EM stadium from 2008 is the venue for the final for the tenth time in a row (continuously since 2014).
However, the ÖFB’s contract with Klagenfurt expires this season. According to Neuhold, the association is in the process of formulating an invitation to tender, on the basis of which all interested locations in Austria can apply for the cup final. “From 2023/24 the cards will be reshuffled. Everyone has the opportunity to document their interest.” The ÖFB management will submit a recommendation to the presidium, which will ultimately decide. The location should not change every year. Neuhold: “It makes sense to think in a cycle of three to five years.”