After Escalation Before Match Start: Rapid Vienna Condemns "Any Form of Violence"

"As SK Rapid, we will continue to focus on dialogue in fan work, but also impose penalties on individuals identified for such gross misconduct," said Rapid Vienna in a statement.

Rapid Vienna Regrets Violence and Wants to Cooperate with Authorities

"First of all, we wish a speedy recovery to those who were harmed in the incidents. We also regret that the majority of Rapid fans present in the guest sector, including many children, teenagers, and women who did absolutely nothing wrong, were negatively affected by the events," the Bundesliga club continued. There is no justification for throwing objects at other people and causing property damage. "Violence is not acceptable, and as a club, we will sanction those individuals identified for misconduct in this context with the means available to us as an association. We will, of course, cooperate with the relevant authorities in the investigation." The club regrets the damage to the image of SK Rapid and the entire Austrian football caused by the incidents and the associated images and negative headlines. They thanked TSV Hartberg for their cooperation. The match was kicked off with a delay of about 45 minutes, and Hartberg won 2-1.

Four Rapid Fans Arrested in Riots

At the Bundesliga match TSV Hartberg against SK Rapid on Sunday in the stadium in Hartberg, riots broke out before the kickoff by a small group of Rapid fans. Security forces discovered unauthorized items, after which a security employee and a police officer were spat on. The police arrested two men and were then pelted with various objects. Meanwhile, sales stands were looted, and cash was stolen. The police used pepper spray and arrested four men belonging to a specific Rapid fan club. No uninvolved persons were injured. The game began with a 45-minute delay, and no further incidents occurred.

(APA/red)

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