Vice Chancellor and Minister of Sports Werner Kogler has held the sponsors responsible for derogatory statements made by the SK Rapid camp after winning the derby against Austria. The Green politician mentioned Rapid’s main sponsor Wien Energie in the Ö1 Mittagsjournal on Wednesday. Fast players would represent one of the most important listed companies in the federal capital, “and then something like this comes true,” Kogler said.
‘I’ve had enough now. We really do a lot, so the clubs cannot rot from within,” Kogler continued. “There is no place for homophobia, racism and sexism and that cannot only apply to Sunday speeches, but must also be lived.”
A video of Rapids director Steffen Hofmann circulated on Monday in which he acted cordially towards his city rivals. Hours later, more videos were made public in which assistant coach Stefan Kulovits and players Guido Burgstaller, Marco Grüll, Thorsten Schick, Maximilian Hofmann and Niklas Hedl can be seen singing homophobic chants against Austria together with fans.
Vienna Energy responds
Wien Energie responded to the matter in writing on Tuesday. A statement said: “Wien Energie is committed to diversity and against any form of discrimination. The statements that have become known in recent days from individual Rapid players and officials do not fit in with this and do not correspond with our values.”
We distance ourselves from the homophobic and offensive statements and welcome the clear words of Rapid President Alexander Wrabetz and Vice President Edeltraud Hanappi-Egger. But this can only be a first step. After Kogler’s statements, Wien Energie also announced on Wednesday that they had planned discussions with Rapid’s club management in the coming days.
Michael Strebl, chairman of Wien Energie’s management, called for “concrete measures that they will take to ensure that officials and players adhere to SK Rapid’s values and to prevent further misconduct.” The statements made should not only be condemned by society as a whole, but would also have a hugely negative impact on Wien Energie. The football club itself has announced an internal review.
Kogler also called on Rapid and other affected clubs to seek outside help. “We would not go back to business as usual, but offer to use the settings. It seems to me that this is a blatant example of this necessity – that is putting it diplomatically.”
“How do gay young people feel?”
The Ministry of Sports, together with director Claudia Koller, has launched approximately 100% Sport. On Ö1 this emphasized the role model function of those involved. “How do gay young people feel? How do gay athletes feel when they hear such chants from even the highest officials? A situation arises that makes practicing this sport extremely difficult. “That is a huge problem,” says Koller.
To take action against discrimination, the ÖFB and the Bundesliga established the ‘Football for All’ ombudsman office years ago. The ombudsman is openly gay footballer Oliver Egger. “I am so often asked: why don’t more football players come out? Videos like this are the perfect answer to that. Because football has still not created an atmosphere in which everyone feels welcome,” said Egger.
Bundesliga takes action
The Bundesliga, in turn, has filed a complaint against the club and the people involved in the video with the league’s Senate 1 (Criminal Law and Credentials Committee). Rapid has one week to comment on this. According to the league, player or functional bans are conceivable; in the worst case, the club could face a points deduction.
Source: Krone
I am Ida Scott, a journalist and content author with a passion for uncovering the truth. I have been writing professionally for Today Times Live since 2020 and specialize in political news. My career began when I was just 17; I had already developed a knack for research and an eye for detail which made me stand out from my peers.
