The ÖFB has already filed a complaint on behalf of the affected referee.
The Austrian Football Association (ÖFB) has denounced an “unprecedented agitation campaign” against a referee that is not named by name. The referee was exposed to attacks “on various digital platforms and internet forums” that had led to “shocking” effects, according to the statement published on Friday. “In the name of the person concerned”, the association has already filed a complaint.
“The ÖFB and the Bundesliga condemn these incidents in a strongest manner and will take it with all the consequence,” said the association. The advertisement was made in close coordination with “the specialists of the Federal Ministry of the Interior”. ÖFB general secretary Thomas Hollerer appealed “to everyone involved in Austrian football to get up against such actions and show face”.
The ÖFB stands to the side of its referees
Also affected relatives
According to the ÖFB, the referee “not only made his personal data – including the residential address – publicly, but was also actively called for actions against him”.
Members of the referee also see “threats and insults exposed, and his full -time job was also significantly damaged,” said the association. This exceeds “any limit of the acceptable and is in no way justified”.