Extend support payments

Sports Minister Werner Kogler, who joined by phone, promises in the programme "Sport und Talk aus dem Hangar-7" on ServusTV to provide financial support for sport at least until the end of the year and indicates a willingness to discuss spectator capacities.

Werner Kogler on the delayed payment of support for sport: "I understand the considerable dissatisfaction in the meantime, because it did take a little while before we were able to put financial security in place."

Werner Kogler announces an extension of the support measures: "We will definitely extend the support funds for amateur and non-profit clubs as well as for the professional leagues in Austria until the end of the year. And I am currently working on budgetary provisions for the spring, because I fear that these turbulences will remain with us until February, March or April."

Werner Kogler on the traffic-light system in sport: "We fought to regionalise the measures. Different rules now apply depending on infection rates. That may seem confusing to some, but it at least has the advantage that we do not have to shut down all of Austria at once."

Werner Kogler signals a willingness to discuss spectator numbers: "Stadium size is a concern of mine and especially an issue in Vienna, Graz and Salzburg, because of course it makes a difference whether we have a stadium for 3000, 20000 or more people, but the same restriction everywhere. I understand this criticism. Generally, however, we want to reduce larger gatherings of people."

Werner Kogler on the minimal risk of infection when taking part in sport: "Relatively little happens around sport. Something only ever happens when people meet afterwards."