AFPRalf Rangnick
NOS Voetbal•dinsdag, 17:02
National coach Ralf Rangnick has expelled three football players from the Austrian selection because they took part in homophobic chants after a league match of their club Rapid Wien.
This concerns 26-time international and Rapid captain Guido Burgstaller, Marco Grüll (4 international matches) and goalkeeper Niklas Hedl (1 international match). The trio, like some teammates, participated in homophobic chants after the derby win against Austria Wien.
Watch Ragnick’s explanation below.
Austrian national coach Ragnick responds to homophobic chants from his players
Austria, one of the Dutch team’s opponents at the upcoming European Championship, will play practice matches against Slovakia and Turkey at the end of this month.
Rangnick calls the behavior of the Rapid trio “inadmissible in a team of which I am the coach. It goes against everything we stand for with the national team. I have also made that clear to the players.”
Door not closed for European Championships
However, according to the national coach, the door is not yet completely closed for the trio with a view to the European Championships in Germany. “Then the boys will have to prove that they take this matter seriously and understand what it means for people to be insulted or discriminated against in public.”
EPARapid captain Guido Burgstaller
The football players were suspended for several matches by the Austrian Bundesliga after the incident. The players must take courses on discrimination during their suspension.
Rapid director Steffen Hofmann and assistant coach Stefan Kulovits were also suspended.
Hope for Alaba
National coach Rangnick says he still hopes for David Alaba to participate in the European Championship. The Austrian captain tore a cruciate ligament in his left knee at his club Real Madrid in December.
According to Rangnick, the 31-year-old defender’s recovery is going well. “It would be a small miracle if he makes it,” Rangnick told Austrian media. “David really wants to play at the European Championships. He will do everything to make it. If anyone can do it, it is David.”
