Four men involved in the pitch invasion following the September 2024 Vienna Derby have received suspended prison sentences, with proceedings continuing next week.
Four men who participated in the pitch invasion at the Vienna Derby in September 2024 were sentenced to suspended prison terms ranging from three to 14 months on Thursday. One 30-year-old received a three-month unconditional sentence alongside a 15-month suspended term. Four of the verdicts are final, while one defendant has requested time to consider the ruling. The men were charged with aggravated public disorder, and in some cases, attempted assault and property damage.
Mitigating factors for all five included confessions and expressions of remorse. A prior criminal record, with five previous convictions, was considered an aggravating factor for the 30-year-old, though he may be allowed to serve any potential prison time with an electronic tag. The judge acknowledged his voluntary completion of a violence prevention program. A 21-year-old Austria Vienna supporter, also with a prior conviction, received a 14-month suspended sentence. Two other defendants were given three-month suspended sentences, and another received five months. The latter has not yet accepted the verdict, unlike the other four. The prosecution accepted the penalties in all five cases.
the men were issued with a nationwide stadium ban for two years, prohibiting attendance at all matches in the Austrian Bundesliga (first and second divisions), the ÖFB-Cup, international competitions involving Austrian teams, and national team games, including friendlies.
During closing arguments, defense attorneys emphasized that their clients had learned from the incident. Several defendants expressed willingness to participate in violence prevention training, with one having already completed a course. One lawyer noted his client struck someone with a bucket but caused no injuries, adding, “He realized things couldn’t continue like this.” The 30-year-old, addressing the judge, stated, “I’m sorry, I’m on the best path of my life and hope you notice that.”
“Let’s deliver him another chance to finally get his life under control,” pleaded the attorney for a pitch invader with three prior convictions – all related to assault. The lawyer argued the issue wasn’t his client’s potential for violence, stating, “The problem was being drunk.” He also requested a lenient sentence for the 21-year-old.
Three cases were dismissed on Thursday, leaving only five of the original 22 defendants in the main proceedings. Thirteen men had previously received diversion orders, and one case had already been dismissed.
Video footage from stadium cameras was reviewed in the morning, showing the violent clashes between Rapid and Austria Vienna supporters on the Allianz Stadium pitch, some of whom were now facing the court. Fans from both sides set off pyrotechnics and clashed with each other and police, resulting in several injuries, some serious. The review aimed to determine the extent of each defendant’s involvement. “He is very clearly recognizable in the crowd,” the judge noted regarding the fourth defendant. “But not right at the front,” countered defense attorney Pia Kern, requesting that former Rapid coach Klauß and his assistant Stefan Kulovits be called as character witnesses.
Prosecutor Kristina Kamauf described the scene at the start of the trial on Monday as a “quasi-war-like state.” A police officer suffered burns, another experienced temporary hearing loss and tinnitus, and a third had dental fragments dislodged. One fan was hospitalized with a fractured left cheekbone, left eye socket, left zygomatic bone, and nasal bone fracture. Kamauf charged the defendants with aggravated public disorder and resisting law enforcement.
The 13 defendants who had previously been unblemished records received diversion orders. They must each pay €150 for court costs and €50 in symbolic damages to SK Rapid and an injured police officer who joined the proceedings as a private plaintiff. Compliance with these terms will allow them to remain unblemished.
The remaining five defendants were denied diversion due to prior convictions or previous contact with the justice system. The three cases dismissed on Thursday will resume on April 8, with no diversionary solution available for those either. The hearing for the defendant whose case was dismissed on Tuesday will continue next Wednesday. (APA)
