Klagenfurt relies on hope: License protest for 2025/26!

Klagenfurt relies on hope: License protest for 2025/26!

Austrian Klagenfurt has protest against the refusal of the license for the 2025/26 season. This was confirmed by the Austrian Bundesliga (ÖFBL) on Tuesday at 10:37 p.m. The license was hit and rejected by Senate 5 in the first instance. Managing Director Peer Jaekel, however, was optimistic about a possible decision in the second instance.

Jaekel thanked the partners, shareholders and sponsors for their support. Main shareholder Zeljko Karajica described the refusal to license as a "wake -up call" for the club and emphasized the positive development through the support of the city and new sponsors. Among other things, TGI AG was presented as the new main sponsor, which was already on the jerseys in the game against the Graz AK.

protest committee and upcoming decisions

The protest committee will check the submitted documents and the judgment is expected for May 2. In a difficult sporting situation, Austria Klagenfurt is currently taking tenth place in the league, only two points in front of the bottom of the Altach. The relegation is therefore not yet secured, which exerts additional pressure on the team and the club.

The licensing process is also monitored by the DFL German Football League, which made the first decisions in the licensing procedure for the 2025/26 season on April 22, 2025. Interestingly, none of the 36 license clubs and applicants from the 3rd league were refused to play. However, some clubs have to meet certain conditions by the beginning of June to keep the right to play.

further steps in the licensing process

The review criteria for licensing include financial, sporting and legal aspects, as well as requirements for sustainability and the infrastructure of the stadiums. Clubs have the opportunity to make a complaint against the initial decision of the DFL within a week. A second decision is expected for the beginning of May, with affected clubs have five days afterwards to submit a new complaint.

The final decision of the licensing committee on the allocation of the licenses is planned for mid -June. With regard to the upcoming challenges, however, Austria Klagenfurt remains optimistic and relies on the backing of its community and sponsors to secure the license for the coming season.