ÖFB Open Letter

Dear Federal Chancellor Sebastian Kurz,
Dear Vice-Chancellor Werner Kogler,
Dear Federal Minister Rudolf Anschober,

As representatives of sport, and football in particular, we have held countless discussions in recent months and, together with experts, developed and made available to our clubs a wide range of concepts. We have also remained in constant contact with the relevant ministries and authorities. Despite enormous pressure from the grassroots, we have always remained constructive and understanding, and have also adopted a very restrained public stance. However, this understanding has now reached its absolute limits.

For weeks, we representatives of organised sport have been hearing the same holding statement. Sport and its members are continually being fobbed off and kept waiting without any perspective, indeed often not even mentioned in passing.

The uncertain situation is no longer bearable for clubs, active participants and the largely voluntary officials who form the backbone of our organisational structure. Organised sport is a key pillar of our society, yet it appears that politicians do not attach the importance it deserves to it!

To date, we have supported and conscientiously implemented all measures taken by the Federal Government, and passed on all messages and appeals to our members. Sport, led by football, has demonstrated that effective hygiene and prevention concepts have been developed and consistently implemented. Participating in sport was and is not a driver of the pandemic; this has also been sufficiently proven empirically.

We have now reached a point at which nobody understands why participating in sport outdoors in small groups, with a negative test result, should not be possible with immediate effect. These measures go far beyond the regulations in force in schools.

The new generations of tests are the key to a responsible return to sport. The resulting synergies also represent a major opportunity for society as a whole. Football can create a genuine leverage effect and serve as a role model in increasing willingness to get tested.

Through our clubs, we also reach social groups that would not otherwise be tested regularly. These are precisely the people who have been under the greatest strain over the past year: those with limited financial means, little living space and inadequate technical infrastructure; families without a garden or a second home in the countryside. Children from such families are severely disadvantaged. The social and integrative role of football clubs is indispensable here, so that integration is not merely a buzzword but can also succeed.

In some regions, the decline in youth athletes is already as high as 30%. We warn in the strongest possible terms that sport is losing an entire generation! Bringing children and young people – as well as amateur athletes – back to sport and outdoor exercise after this long period becomes more difficult with every week that passes! This will have massive long-term effects on our society and the healthcare system!

Even before this pandemic, we faced the challenge that children were doing less and less sport and that obesity was becoming a major threat. Now there is also the psychological aspect. Initial studies have already demonstrated this.

Prof. Dr Josef Penninger, one of our country's most distinguished scientists, also warns: "The current situation carries the risk of collateral damage to our health and psyche. Sport has fundamental effects on our brain, body and overall wellbeing; modern science confirms this too."

We therefore appeal in the strongest possible terms for outdoor sport to be permitted immediately for children, young people and amateurs, subject to testing! The first irreparable damage has already occurred because sport evidently does not enjoy the importance among our politicians that it deserves.

In the past, we have already maintained a close dialogue with politicians and, of course, remain available as a partner. But now facts and prospects are needed.

Yours sincerely,

Dr Leo Windtner (ÖFB President)
Mag. Philip Thonhauser (Chairman of the ÖFBL Supervisory Board, ÖFB Vice-President)
Dr Wolfgang Bartosch (ÖFB Vice-President, President of StFV)
Bgm. a.D. Johann Gartner (ÖFB Vice-President, President of NÖFV)
Dr Josef Geisler (ÖFB Vice-President, President of the TFV)
Dr Gerhard Götschhofer (President of the OÖFV)
Dr Herbert Hübel (President of the SFV)
Dr Horst Lumper (President of the VFV)
KR Gerhard Milletich (President of the BFV)
Mag. Klaus Mitterdorfer (President of the KFV)
Robert Sedlacek (President of the WFV)
Mag. Markus Kraetschmer (ÖFBL Supervisory Board)
Mag. Christian Ebenbauer (ÖFBL Chief Executive Officer)