Long suspensions and workshops: League takes action after homophobia scandal in Vienna

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February 25 was a big sports day for Rapid: after ten derbies without a win against arch-rival Austria, the Viennese club could finally celebrate victory again in the prestigious match. Then it became unsportsmanlike: during the subsequent festivities, players and supervisors made homophobic comments of the worst kind.

Video footage of this found its way online and a huge wave of outrage followed. The so-called criminal senate of the Austrian Bundesliga has now taken measures in the first instance against the director, assistant coach and five players of Rapid Vienna (detailed list in the box). In addition, the club is threatened with a three-point deduction if the violation is committed again.

Attend anti-discrimination workshops

“The role model effect of football players, coaches and officials goes beyond what happens on the green field. “The content of the videos is in no way consistent with the values ​​that football as a whole and the Austrian Football Bundesliga in particular stand for,” the judgment said. Because those involved could credibly demonstrate their remorse, all sentences were also handed down “partially”.

Part of the punishment is that the seven actors must attend three one-hour workshops on the subject of discrimination. During pre-competition hearings, the club had already presented its own catalog of measures to combat homophobia and sexism.

Source : Blick