Authorities in dispute

Dispute over West League match in Bischofshofen

Bischofshofen (left) will face Salzburg's Austria on Saturday.

(Bild: Andreas Tröster)

Due to a disagreement between the authorities, the Westliga top match between Bischofshofen Sportklub 1933 and Austria Salzburg this coming Saturday was briefly on the brink of being postponed. Before one of the parties gave in. A case for the cabinet of curiosities. 

A top match just before the Easter bunny arrives. Soccer heart, what more could you want? Western League fifth-placed Bischofshofen welcome league leaders Austria Salzburg on Saturday for the explosive clash of the 19th round. But a few days before the game, there was a lot of turmoil and the match was even on the brink.

Paragraph ping-pong
On March 13, BSK submitted an event application to the municipality in good time. This was actually a formal act. Until last Monday, when a notice of determination was returned instead of a permit. To the surprise of many and in contrast to previous years, the municipality denied responsibility. "The event law in this regard is extremely poorly formulated," City Office Director Andreas Simbrunner emphasized to the "Krone". After an intensive assessment, it was concluded that the event was of supra-local significance. This was mainly because the local police department had classified the clash as a "high-risk match". In the past, there had reportedly been several incidents involving Austria fans.

While the authorities around the municipality, state and co. played the responsibility in an intensive paragraph ping-pong, there was great concern at BSK. After all, the club announced that it could not assume liability for the sporting event without permission. On Tuesday afternoon, there was even talk of canceling the top match in the third domestic division. This would have resulted in a defeat at the green table for the team from Pongau. 

Skewed optics remain
Before the municipality gave in a few hours later in the evening - just one day after the official decision - and thus put an end to the strange confusion. In order to prevent such confusion in the future, a round table with all parties should bring clarity. 

This means that nothing stands in the way of the firecracker shortly before Easter. Not even a few (important) paragraphs. Only one thing remains in the end: a hint of a skewed look.