After scandal at derby

Against discrimination: Rapid’s ten-point plan

(Bild: GEPA pictures)

SK Rapid has drawn up a ten-point action plan to combat homophobia and sexism at the club. In response to the insulting and homophobic comments made by officials and players after the derby win against Austria, the Hütteldorf club wants to create a lasting cultural change and serve as a driving force in the fight against discrimination in Austrian sport as a whole.

"The events of the weekend before last are a very special challenge for us," said Rapid President Alexander Wrabetz. During the victory celebrations, "something went seriously wrong where we said we had to accept this challenge, take responsibility and learn from it". The club faced great pressure from the public, from sports minister Werner Kogler and also from sponsors and started a process immediately after the videos emerged, which resulted in the catalog of measures presented on Tuesday.

Rapid President Alexander Wrabetz and Vice President Edeltraud Hanappi-Egger

(Bild: GEPA pictures)

The process is being led by Vice President Edeltraud Hanappi-Egger. The Rector of the Vienna University of Economics and Business broke off a professional stay in Greece to initiate the measures. "SK Rapid has a mission statement that explicitly commits to diversity, stands up for an open society and is naturally against anti-discrimination. The fact that these videos surfaced after the last derby celebration shows me that this mission statement is unfortunately not anchored in such a way that our Rapid community has this mission statement present in an exceptional emotional situation. We have to create processes and structures to banish discrimination and homophobia from the club," explained Hanappi-Egger.

Hofmann and Co. at the center of the measures
Managing director Steffen Hofmann, assistant coach Stefan Kulovits and the players Guido Burgstaller, Marco Grüll, Thorsten Schick, Maximilian Hofmann and Niklas Hedl, who were seen and heard in the videos, were sentenced to unconditional bans by the Bundesliga's criminal senate on Monday. Those affected have shown understanding and apologized, which is why no further sanctions are being considered within the club. However, the seven men are at the center of the measures; among other things, they will support organizations against discrimination.

Rapid will also work with relevant institutions, tighten up personal responsibility in employment contracts, introduce the position of a diversity officer, offer a prize for the best fan initiative against discrimination and carry out a study on dealing with homophobia in the stadium, which is to lead to a scientific discourse and strategies for implementation as part of a congress. Fan groups and sponsors are to be involved in this self-reflection. In the fan scene, "a process of reflection has been initiated, so we have noticed that there are of course already internal discussions, which are very pleasing," said Hanappi-Egger.

"An important node in a powerful network"
The club wants to become a role model in the Austrian sports landscape. "I am very hopeful that Rapid, as a club with the charisma we have, can make a difference in soccer and in sport as a whole," explained Hanappi-Egger. Rapid "can be an important node in a powerful network", according to her vision. "I believe that now is the best time to develop something sustainable here. That we develop an understanding that we should no longer use these abusive slogans, that it doesn't detract from the atmosphere of a soccer experience if we use other words to express our emotions and that they don't have to be inhuman and degrading," emphasized the Rapid vice-president.