Outrage in Austria after man ordered to pay female footballers €625 each for secretly filming dressing room

The Guardian - World NewsEN 3 min read 100% complete by Marcus ChristensonFebruary 25, 2026 at 11:43 AM

AI Summary

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An Austrian court sentenced a man to a seven-month suspended prison sentence and a €1,200 fine for secretly filming and photographing the Altach women’s football team in their changing room, gym, and showers between 2020 and 2025. The man, who was also an official at the club and a referee in Switzerland, was ordered to pay each of the approximately 30 victims €625 in compensation. The victims, including some minors, expressed feeling violated and unsafe due to the breach of privacy. The case has sparked outrage, with a former player and the Austrian minister of sport criticizing the sentence as insufficient. While the defendant accepted the sentence, the prosecutor is considering an appeal. The defense stated the images were not shared and have been destroyed.

Key Entities & Roles

Key Player Opposition Context

France 40% Vorarlberger Nachrichten 40% Evian 50% Switzerland 50% Feldkirch 60% Michaela Schmidt 60% Eleni Rittmann 70% Altach women’s football team 80% Austria ×290%

Keywords

gender-based violence 80% gender equality 80% sexual harassment 80% footballers 70% sports abuse 70% compensation 60% football 60% video surveillance 50% austria 50%