Upper Austria Football Association introduces a “license” for the Upper Austria League

The Upper Austrian Football Association has decided what the Upper Austrian news already reported in the summer: From the 2023/24 season, the minimum infrastructural requirements that apply to the regional league will also be introduced in the Upper Austrian league.

Conversely, this means that anyone who wants to move up to the Upper Austrian league or take part in it must comply with certain infrastructural measures – and later on can no longer avoid going into the third-highest division due to a lack of infrastructure. All clubs must submit the required documents by 1 March. In addition, the OÖFV has decided that the clubs will receive a subsidy of 30 percent of the total costs up to a maximum of 5,000 euros for all necessary structural measures to meet the A criteria of the infrastructure regulations. Failure to comply threatens the affected sports facility with withdrawal of approval – and thus participation in the Upper Austrian league.

In the current season it is possible for the last time to forego promotion for infrastructural reasons. In the past, this has been used again and again by the clubs in the form of a waiver of promotion. In the summer, for example, the reigning champions SPG Weißkirchen/Allhaming decided not to play in the third division due to the infrastructure. With the “mini license” for the highest amateur league in the federal state, the goal is to finally put a stop to the annual promotion theater in the future.

From field size to referee toilet

What does it really take for the infrastructure of a club to be suitable for the Upper Austrian and third division leagues? The OÖN took a closer look at the minimum requirement and came to the conclusion that if a club wants to, nothing stands in the way of fulfilling the “mini license”. The A and B criteria are those points from the regulations that must be met in order for a sports facility to be approved for both leagues. For example, the correct pitch length (at least 90 x 60 meters), a doping control room, a minimum number of ten car parking spaces, a bus parking space for the guest team and referees or covered substitute benches for twelve people are required.

Curious: a lack of floodlights or a grandstand are no reason not to meet the minimum requirement. These are only C criteria: These are only recommendations that do not have to be implemented. In the case of Oedt in 2018, among other things, a lack of sanitary facilities for the referees was the sticking point.

All criteria of the Upper Austria League license: