“As of today it is not realistic,” said ÖFB managing director Bernhard Neuhold on Tuesday in the Austrian EM camp in Seefeld. According to Neuhold, however, the association is in contact with the foreign and interior ministries, with Austria’s embassy in London and with UEFA in order to sound out all possibilities. “We will try everything, but do not want to arouse false expectations.” The decision is not made by the EM organizer, but by the local authorities. “It is up to the British government whether they allow a bit of relief,” said Neuhold.
In the 1-0 win in Bucharest, around 1,800 Austrian battle-goers who had traveled with the players celebrated their first entry into the knockout phase of a European football championship after the final whistle. Even if ÖFB team boss Franco Foda expressed low hopes after the end of the game that the team would also be supported by a red-white-red fan base in the round of 16 in London, the chances of this are slim.
CoV regulations as an obstacle
In principle, 1,750 tickets would also be available for Austrian supporters in Wembley Stadium. However, the coronavirus regulations in Great Britain are a major obstacle. There is a ten-day quarantine obligation upon entry. In addition, because of the delta variant of the coronavirus, there is currently a landing ban for flights from Great Britain and a quarantine obligation on the return journey to Austria.
Realistically speaking, only Austrians abroad and other fans who have been in Great Britain at least since the beginning of last week can enter the stadium. “The Austrian, who only wants to travel to the island for this game, actually has no way,” ÖFB managing director Bernhard Neuhold was quoted as saying in an APA report on Sunday.
Foda speaks out in favor of relocation
ÖFB team boss Foda therefore pleaded for a move to another location. In an interview with the “Kleine Zeitung”, the success coach criticized the current situation. “With all due understanding for the entry regulations that apply in England due to the Corona mutation, it would be amazing if our fans couldn’t be there. It’s not every day that we get to the round of 16. And then, as things stand now, there are almost no Austrian fans in the stadium, “said Foda:” It makes no sense for me to play in London. “
He hopes that UEFA will rethink its approach. “The organization of UEFA is really perfect so far. But in this case, in the interests of the fans, I hope that a solution will be found. One possibility would be to move the venue, ”said the German.
Highlights of Ukraine – Austria
Austria is in the round of 16 of a European football championship for the first time. After the 1-0 success on Monday in Bucharest against Ukraine, the ÖFB-Elf was second behind the Netherlands in Group C. The gold scorer in the 21st minute was Christoph Baumgartner, who kicked the ball into the goal after a corner.
Hope for a yellow list
The decision on the entry requirements is not made by the European Football Association (UEFA), but by the British government. In the debate about possible quarantine exemptions for foreign viewers at European Championship games in London, where the two semi-final games and the final are to be played, there has recently been some movement – and faint hope.
All remaining European Championship participating countries are currently on the amber list in Great Britain. In the event of an imminent update by the British government, countries such as Austria, in which the number of CoV cases are falling sharply, could be put on the green list. Then quarantine would no longer be necessary after entry. Time is of the essence for Austria’s game against Italy.
