Upper Austrian league: Infrastructure is under scrutiny

At least when it comes to this topic, the Upper Austrian league clubs can feel like Bundesliga clubs: Similar to the football upper house, there will also be a license in the highest league of the federal state from the coming season. So the clubs not only have to qualify in terms of sport, but also with infrastructural requirements in order to be able to take part in the Upper Austrian league. Until March 1st, the submission of a questionnaire was mandatory for the “infrastructure sticker”, currently all sports facilities are under scrutiny. “So far, no problems have arisen that we can’t solve,” says Stefan Hochreiter, chairman of the game operations commission of the Upper Austrian Football Association.

The biggest hurdle to date: At two clubs, the substitute benches would have to be moved to allow enough distance to the outline. Like in Bad Ischl: “We’ve actually already received the green light for our facility, we only have to move in half a meter from each side. Our already small space will be even smaller – and it will be even more difficult for the opponents,” says Bad Ischl’s sports director Johann Roitmayer with a smile. Away from Dietach it was a 0:5 defeat at the weekend.

loophole disappears

When looking at the A-criteria (fact box on the right) of the infrastructure license, the following credo applies: if you want, you will be able to meet the conditions. And yet exactly these requirements, which also apply to the regional league, have been repeatedly abused in the past in order to find a loophole so that, for infrastructural reasons, promotion to the third-highest division can be avoided. Conversely, a license for the highest amateur league in the federal state also means that if you want to take part in the Upper Austrian league, you can no longer avoid going to the regional league later on due to a lack of infrastructure.

Opinions differ as to whether the promotion requirement already applies this season. As reported, the infrastructure license was introduced during the season – which could become legally problematic. Leader Oedt – at the weekend 6:1 against Edelweiss Linz – will also refer to this. “We believe that we could meet the infrastructure requirements. However, our President (Note: Franz Grad) is of the opinion that you cannot simply change the rules during the season,” says Oedt Section Head Markus Müller.

These A criteria are mandatory:

– Permit for the plant

– Die exit doors have to go outwards

– Security service and barriersto prevent spectators from entering the field

– One House rule is mandatory

– Public address system and scoreboard must be available

– Die field dimension must at least 90 x 60 Meter be. Artificial turf pitches must be certified every three years

– players’ benches must be covered and offer space for twelve people, gates must comply with the standard

– A direct and protected Access for home and guest teams or referees to the sports facility must be guaranteed by structural or organizational measures

– dressing rooms for home and guest teams and referees in the appropriate standard

– A Doping control room

– food stands and sanitary facilities for viewers

– Must be for visiting team and match officials Ten car parking spaces and one bus parking space be reserved.