This story is a journey to one of the original sins of commercialization in modern global football - the 2005 takeover of Austria Salzburg, a former Austrian champion, UEFA cup finalist and Champions League participant by a well known energy drink company that is now active in soccer around the globe, and its subsequent attempt to erase 72 years of footballing history.

But more importantly, it’s a journey to soccer’s original grace as well: community, persistence, humility, euphoria, belonging - the resurrection of Austria Salzburg in its original colors, purple and white, by fans and the return of the Austria to professional football in Austria.

Stefan Wally is the man to tell this story - a lifelong fan of the Austria, and the managing director of the Robert-Jungk-Foundation for Future Studies in Salzburg. He is a political scientist, has taught at different universities for twenty years, and regularly teaches Austrian history to an international audience.

HELPFUL LINKS FOR THIS EPISODE:

Stefan Wally (LinkedIn)

SV Austria Salzburg, website

SV Austria Salzburg, Instagram

Union Ultras Salzburg, website

The Guardian article in English about the Austria after Red Bull

SV Austria Salzburg, English Wikipedia entry

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Artwork for The Assistant Professor of Football is by Saige Lind

Instrumental music for this podcast, including the introduction track, is by the artist Ketsa and used under a Creative Commons license through Free Music Archive: https://freemusicarchive.org/music/Ketsa/