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Austria’s national team coach, Ralf Rangnick, has removed three players from the squad for future friendly matches due to their participation in homophobic chants following the Vienna derby in the past month. Austria is placed in the same group as France and Netherlands for the Euro 2024 tournament.
Marco Grull, Guido Burgstaller, and goalkeeper Niklas Hedl, players on Rapid Vienna’s team, were excluded from Rangnick’s roster for matches against Slovakia and Turkey. This was due to a video showing them participating in chanting after a 3-0 victory against Austria Vienna on February 25th.
Rangnick stated that he will not accept this behavior in any team that he coaches, whether it is a club or the national team. During his squad announcement Monday night, he expressed that the values of the national team are completely opposite of such actions and he communicated this to the players over the phone.
The ex-coach for Manchester United and Leipzig stated that the players’ removal from the team was not permanent, leaving room for the option of them being reconsidered for the European Championship.
Rangnick stated his belief that the boys should approach this matter with seriousness and comprehend the impact of public insults or discrimination on individuals.
Last week, the Austrian Bundesliga suspended five players from Rapid Vienna – Grull, Burgstaller, and Hedl – for engaging in homophobic chanting. The club’s managing director, Steffen Hofmann, and assistant coach, Stefan Kulovits, were also banned for their involvement.
The individuals were additionally instructed to attend workshops regarding discrimination.
Hofmann received a two-month ban, with one month being suspended, and Kulovits received a three-month ban, with one month being suspended. In addition, Kulovits is required to attend a workshop on discrimination.
In the upcoming Euro 2024, Austria will be grouped with France, the Netherlands, and a team that qualifies through the playoffs. The tournament will be held in Germany from 14 June to 14 July.
Source: independent.co.uk
