Gate opened

Explosive video: How derby hooligans got onto the pitch

Violet "fans" were allowed to enter the pitch after the final whistle.

(Bild: GEPA/GEPA pictures)

A few days after the scandalous Vienna derby, a video has now emerged showing how the crazy "fans" got onto the pitch in the first place.

Pyro rockets in the family sector, fistfights, numerous injuries - the 343rd Vienna derby between Rapid and Austria escalated completely after the final whistle. But many people wondered how the chaos could even get onto the pitch. A surveillance video that has now emerged (see below) sheds light on this and shows: It was apparently not made too difficult for the visiting fans.

A steward primarily opened the gate for the police (the so-called scene-knowledgeable officers - "SKB"). However, before the steward could close the entrance in time, the purple fans rushing in also made it through. A fatal security error which, as is well known, had serious consequences: over 570 reports were filed, at least three visitors and ten officers were injured.

In response to an APA inquiry, the Vienna Provincial Police Directorate replied that the Vienna police were aware of the videos from both sides and had analyzed them intensively. It is clearly visible that a steward opens the gate so that stewards and police can get onto the pitch. The stewards can be recognized by their yellow jackets.

"Why the gate to the Austria fan sector, which is actually a security gate, was opened is beyond our control. We still have to analyze that," explained Rapids club president Alexander Wrabetz at a press conference on Wednesday.

Four matches without away fans
Austria and Rapid reacted to the riots: There will be no away fans at the next four duels. "However, the guest fan sectors will not remain completely empty, but will be available to home fans - and will also be used to invite charitable organizations, for example," the Rapid club statement reads.

At a press conference on Tuesday, Austria CFO Harald Zagiczek spoke of a "good discussion at eye level" with Rapid and the league. It was about taking responsibility and drawing consequences. "We see a clear need for action to counter the increasingly frequent riots at Vienna derbies very clearly and with all severity," said Zagiczek.