Bundesliga License Granted to Klagenfurt, Austria
Victory for Austria Klagenfurt: Bundesliga License Secured After Appeal
In a damn welcome turn of events, Austria's Klagenfurt football club has bagged a license for the upcoming Bundesliga season, following a successful appeal. While the annual report was late, the team must begin the new campaign with a three-point deduction.
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The disciplinary committee dished out a €44,000 fine alongside the license. Austria needs to submit updated financial information and a monthly liquidity report moving forward. After initially having their license denied, the club welcomed TGI AG as their major sponsor, with the city of Klagenfurt and existing partners chips in.
Breath of Fresh Air in Klagenfurt
CEO Peer Jaekel described it as a moment of immense relief, as the past few weeks had been a massive ordeal for everyone within the club. He expressed gratitude towards the sponsors and partners. The club's target now is to secure their position in the league. Currently, Austria is in the qualification group, tie for the second-to-last spot with GAK. Carsten Jancker replaced Peter Pacult as the head coach earlier in the week. The two teams will square off this Friday. The three-point penalty would also apply if Austria is relegated to the 2. Liga.
Vice President and main shareholder Zeljko Karajica shared, "We are on the cusp of finishing the current business year with a positive result, making Austria Klagenfurt profitable for the first time and self-sustaining. What we're experiencing now is Austria Klagenfurt 2.0."
SW Bregenz and Vienna Set for Bundesliga Promotion
In the 2. Liga, Schwarz-Weiß Bregenz and Vienna are likely to join the Bundesliga if promoted. Bregenz has met the necessary infrastructural requirements, while Vienna has completed the personnel requirements. Vienna announced Stefan Manzana Marin as their new head coach, replacing Mehmet Sütcü, who will now serve as assistant coach.
Financial Outlook
Although Austria Klagenfurt initially faced licensing challenges due to financial concerns raised by the league, Vice President Zeljko Karajica remains hopeful and stated they expect to resolve matters shortly. The club is emphasizing continuous financial improvement under Karajica's leadership, with a focus on having a profitable fiscal year since 2019. Attendance averages 4,297 spectators per match this season, showcasing moderate yet consistent fan engagement despite missing the championship group. Search results do not explicitly mention a new sponsorship deal as part of their financial recovery, with the club instead focusing on licensing disputes and maintaining profitability through existing ownership support.
- Despite initial licensing challenges, Austria Klagenfurt secured a Bundesliga license following a successful appeal.
- The three-point deduction for the team's late annual report will apply in the upcoming season.
- TGI AG joined as the major sponsor for Austria Klagenfurt after the license was awarded.
- Although financial concerns were raised earlier, Vice President Zeljko Karajica remains optimistic about resolving the issues shortly.
