"Bauernschweine" prank at top match: regional councillor tells off fans

Graz (Austria) - Peasant uprising in Styria! After Austria Vienna's 1:0 away win at Sturm Graz in the top match of the Austrian Bundesliga , fans from the capital apparently hijacked the home side's interview wall - causing outrage. In the meantime, however, the region's farmers have fought back with great unity.

The Sturm Graz fans were very upset after the sticker prank, but the club reacted with class.
The Sturm Graz fans were very upset after the sticker prank, but the club reacted with class.  © Erwin Scheriau/APA/dpa

When SK keeper Kjell Scherpen (25) and midfielder Jon Stankovic (29) answered reporters' questions on the Sky microphone, a logo was emblazoned in the background that at first glance was reminiscent of the Graz club emblem.

However, a tractor replaced the black and white Sturm flag, while the words "Bauernschweine seit 1909" ("Farm pigs since 1909") could be read around it.

Naturally, the second-placed team's fans did not take kindly to the slur in sticker form, which was apparently placed by opposing supporters, but their anger quickly turned to defiance.

The club has since issued a statement: "We are proud of our partners, the Styrian farmers and their work," explained the reigning double winners - and, together with the Styrian Farmers' Association, are now giving away tickets to a soccer match as well as a number of locally produced products, including pumpkin seed oil and beer.

The competition was also shared by the farmers' association of the southern Austrian province, which also took a clear stance on the matter: "We are proud farmers and are glad that there are soccer clubs in Styria that still value us farmers!"

Provincial councillor lashes out at Austria Wien fans

Simone Schmidtbauer (50), Styria's Provincial Councillor for Agriculture, is not only a proud farmer in name only.
Simone Schmidtbauer (50), Styria's Provincial Councillor for Agriculture, is not only a proud farmer in name only.  © Screenshot/Instagram/simone.schmiedtbauer

Even the Styrian state councillor for agriculture, Simone Schmiedtbauer (50), got involved in the "farmer pigs" controversy and took the Austria supporters to task.

"I am a pig farmer and proud of it, but certainly not a farmer's pig!" the politician told the Krone newspaper.

"We are proud of our profession and provide the local population with the best food - even the fans of Austria Wien if need be."

The logo prank is of course adding fuel to the fire in the title race in the German neighboring country in the home straight, but the capital city club currently has the upper hand in sporting terms.

With the win, Vienna pushed Graz off the top of the table, although the "Schwoazen" remain very close on points with four match days to go.