Austrian football authorities said on Monday that they will be investigating allegations that a trainer who had been banished to the stadium seats had illegally used a mobile phone to continue coaching his side.
The Austrian Bundesliga league said its disciplinary board was to take up the allegations against Damir Canadi, coach of the first-division club SCR Altach, in the incident during his team’s 1-0 victory on Sunday against Rapid Vienna.
Canadi had been banished to the stands after he had run out onto the pitch to celebrate with his players following the goal against Rapid.
The 46-year-old trainer was then seen speaking animatedly on his mobile phone, the suspicion being that it was with someone on the bench, in order to give further directions to his team.
This would be a violation of league rules prohibiting such contact and could result in a suspension of the coach.
In remarks to the Austrian TV broadcaster ORF, Canadi said: “If the rules say so, then I accept it.
“As to his running out onto the pitch to celebrate the goal, he said “football is emotion.”