Return of the Arlberg league? Historical decision of the ÖFB is imminent!

Return of the Arlberg league? Historical decision of the ÖFB is imminent!

Hohenems, Österreich - On March 28th, a trend-setting meeting is scheduled for in Austrian football: The Presidium of the Austrian Football Association (ÖFB) will discuss a new league structure for the third performance level. The great news could be the return of the Arlberg league, which has not existed since the 1960s. At a session with eleven Vorarlberg clubs, including well-known representatives of the Regionalliga West, the idea of a joint league for Tirol and Vorarlberg was largely supported, as Vol.at . A year -round league operation with seven teams from both federal states is planned, with the master playing two promotion places to the Admiral second division.

opposite opinions and uncertainties

Not everyone sees the reform positively. According to its club boss Gerhard Oelz, FC Dornbirn has expressed concerns and warns of a decline in the sporting level. This criticism indicates possible difficulties, considering that both the Tyrolean and the Salzburg Football Association are against the restructuring. VfB Hohenems is also skeptical and rejects the new league structure. The sporting director Johannes Klammer emphasizes that the clubs and players want to stay in fourth grade to play local derbies instead of taking long trips to Salzburg, as is done in the current league situation. The return to the old system, such as between 2019 and 2023, would be a preferred option for many clubs, such as 90minuten.at .

The upcoming decision of the ÖFB will be decisive for the future of football in Tyrol and Vorarlberg, while many questions about the new structure and their effects on the smaller traditional clubs remain open.