There is no danger for LASK fans of becoming part of a ghost game themselves at the away game against Rapid next Saturday. Where there is (still) no report, there is no verdict. The material to be evaluated is too extensive before the league’s internal legal process can be pursued.
This means that there will be no impact on Linz’s game in Hütteldorf. Except that SK Rapid can already implement the bans it issued internally – if it wants to. The reputations of the two clubs couldn’t be more different when it comes to implementing bans.
At Rapid, President Alexander Wrabetz and Steffen Hofmann It has always been noticeable between the lines how much people are practicing non-commitment. “Analyze, work through” are words that one hears at regular intervals.
The last three Linz derbies between LASK and Blau-Weiß were played out quietly in the stadium despite all the rivalry. LASK was recently banned from entering the stadium because of the forced interruption of the away game against Sturm Graz. This was followed by accusations of “arbitrariness” because the fans who were responsible for the interruption could not be identified and instead those responsible who were registered in the club register were held accountable.
The end result after a long tug-of-war: lifting the stadium bans and a joint commitment that protests will no longer be allowed to influence the game in the future is a clear endorsement that, despite all the differences, football is number one. In Vienna, the proactive measure taken: “No away fans in the next four Vienna derbies” will certainly not be enough on its own. There have been enough nice commitments already.
“Becoming better and more stable”
In sporting terms, LASK is expecting a hot game on Saturday. Rapid, as league leaders, is the team of the moment, while LASK, in ninth place, still has a lot of catching up to do. Coach Markus Schopp was critical after the 4-0 victory in the cup against regional league team SU Mauer. “We have to be better and more stable and more dangerous in the attacking game. At the end of the day, I’m happy that we’re in the next round. You have to take the positive results with you and really filter out the good things.”
ePaper
Author
Harald Bartl
Deputy Head of Sports Department
Harald Bartl
