Arnreit and Co: These are the fairest lower house clubs in Upper Austria

LINZ. “It’s been a few years since our last red card,” says Arnreit section leader Martin Neumüller with a smile. No wonder, since his club from the North District League is probably the fairest lower house club in recent years: in the most recent ten fairness award evaluations, the Mühlviertlers were at the top in their league nine times. The winners were determined based on the lowest number of negative points received for yellow, yellow-red and red cards in team games. “Fair play is one of the most important characteristics on the football field and is a big concern for us as an association. Clubs that promote and practice awareness of respect and correct behavior should be rewarded,” says OÖFV Vice President Thomas Prammer. That’s why the association handed out prizes worth a total of 60,000 euros to the fairest clubs in the 29 leagues in the Upper Austrian lower house of football.

A secret of success for series winner Arnreit? “Fairness and friendliness is something that we already propagate among the youngsters. Since we only compete with local players in the fighting team, it is a kind of life school that they receive in the junior team and then take with them to the fighting team,” says Neumüller, who I have to think back almost decades to remember the last exclusions so far: “2014 was probably the last red card. I know that because we didn’t win the fairness award that year. Then I can only remember two more exclusions – but they were still on our old football field, back in the late 90s.”

Five euros for exclusion

Tickets received usually have at least one positive side effect: the team fund is happy about the increase. But that’s also different in Arnreit: “Here, you have to pay five euros for a red card. Our kickers don’t get any money for kicking, so the amount of the penalties is proportionate,” says Neumüller.

A local team that learns rules and fairness from an early age in a football club – the Union Nebelberg also follows this path: The club from the Mühlviertel received two awards at the most recent fair play gala: both the men’s team from the 1st class north and the The women’s team in the women’s Upper Austrian league became the fair play award winners in their leagues. “In our club, respect is the top priority. We have a local team from a small town, so it is even more important that there are no suspensions,” says Nebelberg chairman Gerald Wöss. Nebelberg is practically a prime example of the fact that a fair style of play can also be combined with sporting success: in the previous season, Nebelberg not only finished at the top of the fairness table, but also won the championship title in the 2nd class northwest on the pitch.