Salzburg rejects Rapid’s request to postpone the game: “I’m not responsible”
As of February 12, the Austrian federal government will overturn the previously introduced spectator restrictions at events with assigned seats. But it’s too late for Rapid against Salzburg. Nevertheless, the bulls do not agree to a postponement.
Because the Bundesliga hit between SK Rapid and Red Bull Salzburg starts on Friday at 7:30 p.m. And it is only on Saturday that the maximum number of spectators at major events will be a thing of the past.
Rapid Managing Director Christoph Peschek now says this. He is “pleased” that fans are allowed to return to the Allianz Stadium. But: “For us, in the first round of the Bundesliga in 2022, there is an enormously important hit game in which our team would need the support of every fan, as always, but unfortunately, according to our current state of knowledge, the opening steps for this encounter come into force too late and we would have to play the game in front of just 2,000 fans.”
That’s why SK Rapid now wants to effect a postponement. “We will therefore apply to the Bundesliga to postpone the game to Saturday or Sunday and hope for the support of the league, TV partners and of course our guests from Salzburg,” said Peschek.
The 38-year-old continued: “We have always emphasized that we play football for our fans.”
Salzburg does not agree to postponement
However, the wishes of Hütteldorfer fell on largely deaf ears with the people of Salzburg. “SK Rapid’s application is fundamentally understandable for us. But in terms of professional preparation for our extraordinary Champions League round of 16 against FC Bayern Munich, such an immediate postponement of the game would not be responsible from a sporting point of view,” says a statement.
“Both the training plan and many other organizational aspects are in line with this and are based on the schedule that has been in place for a long time. Other clubs in similar situations have come to the same conclusion in the past.”