Former Barcelona and Austria national team legend Hans Krankl was briefly detained by police in Pasching, Upper Austria, on Sunday evening. The incident began as a police officer contacted him in the vicinity of the Raiffeisen Arena, following events connected to the nearby Austrian Bundesliga match between LASK Linz and Rapid Vienna. The game, broadcast by Sky in Austria, ended with LASK Linz securing a 2-1 victory.
According to police sources cited by the APA news agency, Krankl, now 69, drove toward a police officer in the VIP parking zone as he exited the stadium area. The moment involved a touch between Krankl’s vehicle and the officer’s body, and a brief contact with a car bumper. In the minutes that followed, the driver allegedly moved the vehicle toward two additional officers who were present nearby, leading to the police report being filed for that sequence of events. The situation prompted questions about the nature of the contact and the officers’ response, as reported by local outlets and agencies.
The Viennese paper Kronenzeitung claimed to have witnessed dramatic scenes involving the Austrian football icon and referenced eyewitness accounts alleging that Krankl had been run over by a police officer. The publication also described Krankl as being taken to the stadium’s operating area by several officers and questioned the extent of the questioning procedure, noting that Krankl was detained during the initial stages of the inquiry. Kronenzeitung reported Krankl’s side of the events and what he said occurred at the scene.
From Krankl’s perspective, he maintained that he did not strike any officer with his car. He described his intention as making a right turn out of the parking area, while an officer indicated that he should wait so that Rapid fans could be ferried away by bus. Krankl argued that the road was clear and there was no obstruction preventing his passage. He asserted that the officer then asked for documents and informed him of his detention, a claim that aligns with the account of his legal representatives and later statements.
Krankl’s account further stated that he was taken to a room in the stadium area and treated as if he were under formal arrest, an experience he described as uncomfortable and embarrassing. He indicated that six officers were involved in escorting him and that this treatment felt disproportionate to the situation. The police, for their part, later released Krankl after verifying his personal information, though the investigation into the incident continued. The event sparked discussions about crowd management, police protocols, and the interactions between public figures and law enforcement in high-traffic venues.
In subsequent remarks, Krankl expressed his remorse for the attention the event had drawn. He noted his long friendship with police officers and his involvement in charity work and community concerts with law enforcement members in the past. Krankl emphasized that he would never intentionally jeopardize an officer’s safety and described the incident as a miscommunication that had been blown out of proportion by some media coverage. Kronenzeitung cited Krankl’s statement that many people who know him would attest to his consistent respect for police authority and his commitment to public service.
Historically, Krankl’s career includes a standout period with Barcelona between 1978 and 1981. The most remarkable season came in 1979 when he led the Spanish league in goalscoring, a performance that remains a highlight of his prolific playing career. This season helped cement his status as a leading figure in European football during that era. The present discussion around the Pasching incident has not altered Krankl’s standing as one of Austria’s most celebrated footballers, though it has raised renewed attention to the conduct and responsibilities of high-profile sports figures when they interact with law enforcement at major stadium venues.