Austrian FA condemns alleged far-right banner among its fans at Euros
The Austrian Football Association (ÖFB) has condemned a far-right banner in their fan block during the European Championship match against Poland on Friday.
"The Austrian Football Association is very concerned that such a banner got into the stadium despite strict controls. The national team and the association clearly stand for tolerance, diversity and integration in all areas of our society," the association said in a statement on Saturday.
According to a report by the website Laola1 and a post on X, a banner reading "Defend Europe" was held up shortly before the end of Austria's 3-1 win against Poland in Berlin's Olympic Stadium.
This is the title of a campaign by the far-right Identitarian Movement, which uses the phrase to mobilize against migrants.
According to the ÖFB, the banner does not belong to the national team's organized fan scene.
"ÖFB fan representatives intervened immediately and documented the action, which lasted around two minutes shortly before the end of the match. Work is now under way to clarify the identity of the persons involved. Hateful messages like this have no place in the national team's fan sector," the association announced.
The former head of the far-right Identitarian movement in Austria is Martin Sellner.
The white supremacist attended a far-right meeting in Germany in November which caused a huge furore in the Euro host nation because members of the surging Alternative for Germany (AfD) party were reportedly there.
Participants discussed "remigration" - namely deporting large numbers of people of foreign origin, even under duress.
