Rapid fans caused violence at the Vienna derby. © APA / TOBIAS STEINMAURER

Huge fine for Rapid after derby scandal

Following the derby riots of February 15, the Senate 1 of the Austrian Football Bundesliga has handed down the expected heavy penalties against Rapid.

February 24, 2026

From: apa

As reported on Tuesday, Rapid Vienna received a fine of €100.000 and partial stadium closures for three top home matches against Austria Vienna, Red Bull Salzburg, Sturm Graz, or LASK. Rapid will not appeal. Austria Vienna, nicknamed "The Violets," must pay €48.400 for the unauthorized use of pyrotechnics.

Rapid will now face a conditional sanction imposed following the derby riots of September 2024, which closes Block West plus its ancillary areas and the opposite sector – preventing the establishment of an alternative fan section there – for three top matches. This reduces the overall capacity of the Allianz Stadium by more than half. The affected match is the final round of the regular season against Red Bull Salzburg on March 8th.

Austria Vienna also has to pay for illegal pyrotechnics. © APA / TOBIAS STEINMAURER

When the other two matches with partial stadium closures will take place is still undecided. Theoretically, this could only happen next season – specifically if Salzburg, Sturm, LASK, and Austria finish in the championship group, Rapid has to continue in the relegation group, and Rapid doesn't have a home game against one of these four clubs in a European Cup play-off.

Rapid fans caused a game interruption

Rapid fans threw firecrackers and other pyrotechnic devices onto the pitch during the final minutes of the 2-0 defeat at the Austria Stadium a week and a half ago. Some of these items landed in the adjacent section, and the referee interrupted the match for approximately ten minutes. It was the first derby after four encounters between the arch-rivals in which away fans were permitted.

The very next day, Rapid announced that for the next three years they would refrain from using their ticket allocation for the away section at away derbies. This decision has now been made a mandatory security measure by the league and also applies to Rapid II matches.

During the derby between Austria and Rapid, fireworks were thrown onto the pitch from the away section. © APA / TOBIAS STEINMAURER

Rapid has already announced that it will not appeal the disciplinary panel's rulings. The statement continued: "SK Rapid regrets that the misconduct of a few individuals has not only caused significant financial damage to the club, but also that many fans who have always behaved properly are now affected by the consequences of the sector closures. Furthermore, SK Rapid will continue to cooperate closely with the relevant authorities and provide all necessary support to help identify those who set off firecrackers and flares."