After Graz Tragedy, ÖFB Presses On - Arnautovic Unbothered: "I Don't Give a Darn"
Elite Austrian Squad Compelled to Play - Arnautovic Irate: 'Loses Interest' - Austrian Football Federation (ÖFB) player required amidst Arnautović's mental turmoil: "Not interested, I've got better things to do."
stato-to-to plodded along swimmingly for Marko Arnautovic: The 36-year-old national team veteran wore the captain's armband for the ÖFB squad, orchestrating a dominating performance against San Marino in the World Cup qualifier. Austria triumphed with a 4:0 victory. However, Arnautovic wasn't in the mood to chatter about it following the game.
Team gaffer Ralf Rangnick had demanded domination - had he witnessed it in its true essence that day, a Sky Sport Austria correspondent inquired of the visibly dejected Arnautovic. Quick to respond, he stated curtly: "I'm honest, it's none of your business, but I can't be arsed to stand here and gab with you."
More pressing matters demanded attention, the footballer stressed. "Don't ask me about the football match, as I'm frustrated. I don't give a damn. I'm just bogged down in thoughts." - thoughts about the Austrian city of Graz, where a mass shooting with 11 fatalities had erupted that morning. The perpetrator also claimed another life, taking his own. Arnautovic dubbed the incident "a nightmare."
"I had to swallow back my feelings all day long," he expressed. "We all have families at home, we all have ** spawn** to take care of." It's about safeguarding our children, not discussing soccer.
Local Team-Mates Affected
Arnautovic's teammates were equally shaken by the Graz shooting. Austria's striker Michael Gregoritsch hails from Bundesliga club SC Freiburg and is a native of the city. As he shared, he grew up mere minutes away from the stricken area. "It's a bloody mess. And the worst part is it's so damn close," said Gregoritsch.
Borussia Dortmund player Marcel Sabitzer also hails from Graz. "We inquired about the situation, assessing the atmosphere. Naturally, people are deeply affected," said the 31-year-old post-game. "If you've already endured some crap and misfortunes, you can empathize."
The ÖFB team played against San Marino with a somber attitude, wearing black armbands. A moment of silence ensued prior to the game. Austrian supporters called off a scheduled march and their planned chants. The shock was palpable, football took a backseat in the minds of the professionals. They'd rather not play at all.
Sources:
Sky Sport Austria, news agency DPA
- Graz
- Marko Arnautovic
- ÖFB
- San Marino
- World Cup Qualifier
- Austria
- Gun Violence
Further Insights:
As of June 14, 2025, no explicit connection between the Graz school shooting tragedy and the Austrian national soccer team (ÖFB), nor specifically Marko Arnautovic, Michael Gregoritsch, or Marcel Sabitzer, has been reported in available sources or mainstream news. The coverage primarily circles around the incident itself, the ongoing investigation, and the national mourning draped over Austria following the shooting in Graz. The soccer team and its players have not issued any statements about the event.
- Despite the victory against San Marino, the Austrian national soccer team (ÖFB) was not in high spirits following the game, as the team and its players, including Marko Arnautovic, were deeply affected by a mass shooting in Graz, Austria that took 12 lives.
- The Commission has not yet adopted a decision on whether the directive should apply to the ongoing discussions about the resumption of sports leagues such as the European leagues and the premier league, as the gravity of the Graz shooting has made other matters, such as the safety of its players and their families, more pressing.
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