The case surrounding the Bundesliga game between TSV Hartberg and WSG Tirol is entering the next round.
After the Styrians’ 2-1 win on December 13th, the result was initially not certified, but the Tyroleans’ subsequent protest was rejected by the responsible Senate 1. The WSG does not want to accept this.
“We definitely won’t let it stand,” WSG manager Stefan Köck told the “Tiroler Tageszeitung”. He described the Senate’s decision as “head-shaking”. From the Tyroleans’ point of view, the decisive moment of the game came about illegally.
Illegal substitution?
Specifically, it’s about the substitution of Lukas Fridrikas. The Hartberg striker was supposed to come into the game as part of a triple substitution, but first had to correct some of his equipment. This delayed his trade. According to the WSG, Fridrikas was then sent onto the field by the fourth official during the game – an action that the Watten team considers to be inconsistent with the rules.
Explosive: Just a few seconds after his late substitution, Fridrikas was fouled in the penalty area and took the penalty that led to the decisive 2-1 for Hartberg. It is precisely this connection that fuels the WSG’s suspicion that the game-deciding moment came about under false circumstances.
Whether the case will actually be reopened remains an open question. However, one thing is clear: the Tyroleans are not satisfied with the decision so far – and the discussion about the controversial Firdrikas exchange is likely to continue to concern Austrian football.
