NEWS
"Fetzn" stolen in Venice: Ultras Rapid facing uncertain future
The trip to Venice could have serious consequences for Ultras Rapid. Two significant "Fetzn" belonging to the group were stolen from a broken-into car.
SK Rapid's 0-1 loss in the friendly against FC Venezia (to the match report>>>) became a secondary matter for the Hütteldorf fan group Ultras Rapid on Saturday.
As the main group of Block West announced on their homepage under the title "Incident in Venice", one of their cars was broken into during the match.
"When we returned to our cars after the match and the celebrations in Venice, one of them had been broken into," the statement reads. The trunk was opened through a smashed window.
According to the Ultras, the so-called "Besuchsfetzn" as well as a "UR & Gate 13 Anniversary 'Fetzn'" were stolen. The latter stands for the long-standing friendship between Ultras Rapid and the Ultras group Gate 13 of Panathinaikos Athens.
"Fetzn" hold special significance
For Ultra groups, such "Fetzn" hold special significance: They represent a group's identity, history, and cohesion, and are therefore much more than ordinary fan merchandise. Their loss is accordingly a heavy blow within the scene.
A distinction is made between theft and the targeted capture of a banner by a rival group.
The latter holds particular symbolic significance within the Ultra scene and can even lead to the dissolution of a group.
Uncertain Future
Founded in 1988, Ultras Rapid play a central role in the organized fan scene of the record champion. It is unclear what the future holds for UR after the loss of the two banners.
In their statement, Ultras Rapid speak of "significant consequences" and an uncertain future in light of the incident: "At the moment, we do not know who is responsible for this break-in, nor what our path will look like in the future."
