Remarkable verdict in Austria: referee who secretly filmed players in the changing rooms must pay each victim 625 euros

The case caused quite a stir in Austria. But the man’s punishment has not been able to calm minds, anything but. The referee received a suspended prison sentence of seven months and a fine of 1,200 euros. In addition, he had to pay each victim compensation of 625 euros.

Eleni Rittmann, who now plays for Evian in France but previously played for Altach, was furious about the punishment. “It leaves me speechless,” she wrote in an Instagram post. “We felt safe in our dressing room and this has affected our privacy so seriously that even now some of us do not feel safe in public showers. To me this is not a deterrent signal for something that is not tolerated in our society,” says the victim.

The suspect has accepted the verdict, but the public prosecutor can still appeal. According to the accused’s lawyer, the photos were not further distributed and have now all been destroyed. “I agree with my lawyer’s statements, but I would still like to express my condolences to everyone involved and apologize for my actions,” the referee addressed the victims.