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After World Cup qualification: firecrackers and hate slogans escalate in Vienna!
After the World Cup qualifier between Albania and Serbia, there were clashes in Vienna, especially on Ottakringer Straße.
After World Cup qualification: firecrackers and hate slogans escalate in Vienna!
On June 8, 2025, the World Cup qualifier between Albania and Serbia in Tirana ended in a goalless draw. But while the teams fought for points on the pitch, the fans in Vienna made unpleasant headlines. Numerous Serbian supporters gathered on the popular Ottakringer Straße, often referred to as the Balkan Mile, and gave vent to their discontent.
There was a worrying incident near a Balkan bar when fans attacked the police with firecrackers and chanted aggressive hate slogans against Albanians. The Vienna police had an eye on around 40 Serbian fans before the game, but were initially able to avoid an escalation. After the final whistle of the game, however, there were complaints about breach of decorum and making noise. The police are now evaluating videos to examine possible further complaints based on the chanted hate slogans. The events shed light on a problem that is not only evident in Austria, but also internationally Research Center for Violence at Sporting Events describes.
Violence at sporting events
The increase in violent clashes at sporting events is a worrying trend that has gained momentum in recent decades. The Hooligan Concordat, which was introduced to increase security around football games, also becomes relevant here. Measures such as fans arriving on special trains and the Swiss Football League's “good hosting” strategy aim to promote friendlier interaction and avoid radical security measures. These initiatives are coordinated by various actors – police, leagues, clubs and fan work.
It is crucial for Vienna and the local police to learn lessons from these incidents. Attention now turns to how such gatherings can be better regulated in the future to prevent similar incidents. The trend that sporting events are increasingly becoming a stage for violent clashes cannot be ignored. Continued efforts are needed to ensure a safe environment for all sports enthusiasts.
In summary, the World Cup qualifier between Albania and Serbia was not only an event on the pitch, but also exposed the dark side of fan behavior. “There is something going on” will be clear not only to local police, but also to all stakeholders in the sport, in order to improve the overall gaming experience. For more detailed information about the game and the incidents surrounding it, you can check out coverage from today.at and kicker.de read.