After the derby scandal: From the fan power struggle at Rapid to the consequences

The Return of the away fans after 511 days at 348. Wiener Derby became a fiasco. Rapid “fans” almost caused the game to be abandoned in the 2-0 defeat against Austria and endangered other visitors.

Not only football fans have many questions, the KURIER provides information after the recent scandal Insights and answers.

What happened?

Without a specific trigger, like after a countdown, From the 89th minute onwards, flares flew onto the field and also onto the opposite stand from the Rapid sector for several minutes. Firecrackers were set off for this purpose.

Referee Hameter had to interrupt, then the police intervened. The remaining minutes of the game were then completed.

How does Rapid react?

As a first measure, it was decided not to apply for the 1,600 cards for Rapidler in the Austria sector in the future.

The away sector is deliberately left free during the derby for safety reasons.

What’s next?

The Senate 1 Rapid gives Rapid one week to comment after the advertisement. There will be a verdict on Monday (February 23) at the earliest.

Rapid could then appeal.

Is it certain that the suspended sentence will be severe?

No, but very likely because the offenses clearly came from the Rapid sector. Specifically, Rapid must join after a guilty verdict three top home games (against Austria, Salzburg, Sturm or LASK) close the entire fan area (Block West plus side areas) as well as the opposite sector – so that no “alternative fan sector” can be set up there.

This penalty was already given against Salzburg in 2025 – the 0-2 in front of only 11,000 fans was the start of the championship group.

What additional punishment is threatened for the derby scandal?

One Fine of a maximum of 150,000 euros. There can be one for this Partial closure of the stadium or a ban on the fan sector at away games.

Point deductions are an option in the ÖFB legal regulations, but the clubs have decided League ghost games as the worst consequence to use.

Austria is threatened with a small financial fine because of unauthorized pyrotechnics.

How does so much pyrotechnics end up in the fan sectors?

Experts say that almost everything that absolutely needs to go into the stadium will be brought in somehow. Even strip searches would not be a panacea: highlighters or firecrackers are so small that they can also be smuggled into the sector in their underpants – for example by female fans.

Die Vienna police sees this more strictly and refers to “those responsible for this event”.

What alternatives would there be for fan admission?

Detectors like those at airports – but that would entail additional costs. Admission could be scheduled earlier if controls are tightened. Then there would be a need for law enforcement officials to guarantee the security of the stewards if (sometimes violent) fans had to wait in the cold for several hours.

What has happened since the mass brawls of 2024?

In the 15 months with four derbies without away fans Rapid, Austria and the Bundesliga have invested many, many hours to find new solutions together. Everyone involved agreed that real improvements were the common goal. Some innovations have been successful, such as the reinforced safety nets and fences that were installed in both stadiums.

In the end, all that work was actually in vain.

Does the power struggle in the West Block play a role?

Yes, they’ve been demanding it for some time now cooperating fan clubs “Lords” and “Lions” the “Ultras” and their leadership role in the bloc that has lasted for decades. “Lords” and “Lions” are considered “experience-oriented” and are most likely to consciously cross red lines.

In late autumn “Lords” and “Lions” made against Steffen Hofmann mood. The managing director was accused of the failure of the professionals (actually responsible for this area Sports director Markus Katzer the responsibility).

There is one in memory The “Lions” campaign against assistant coach Thomas Hickersberger because of bad standard situations (!).

With Hickersberger, Rapid became rapid in ten years Six times runner-upafter his departure in 2023 there was no longer a top 3 placement.

How do the police assess the situation after 117 reports?

The police will take action if the organizers no longer have the situation in the stadium under control. The focus is first on dialogue, then on de-escalation, and finally on enforcement. The commander on site decides on measures.

One Person was injured by a firecrackera policewoman (away from the stadium) using pyrotechnics.

21 criminal and 96 administrative reports were issued.

What will happen at the next derby in Hütteldorf?

Unless three other top home games are drawn beforehand, there is a risk of the – self-inflicted – ultimate humiliation for Rapid fans: Without their own fan sector, the Rapidler could be sung by around 2,000 Austrians from the Allianz Stadium.

Since there were no riots by Austria fans on Sunday, the arch-rival will not miss out on own fans in Hütteldorf to let into the away sector.