It has been windy around the Austrian Martin Hinteregger lately.
The background is the football tournament "Hinti Cup" which he has arranged at home in Austria - together with the former neo-Nazi Heinrich Sickl.
Something that provoked strong reactions.
According to the website DW, Sickl was a member of the board of the right-wing populist party FPÖ until 2021. In the 1990s, he was also part of the neo-Nazi organization Nationalistische Front, which became illegal in 1992.
- In recent weeks, several questions have come up about the "Hinti Cup", which I have pursued with passion and with the best intentions.
Things I have said in affection have created irritation, and I want to apologize for that.
I regret it, he says in a press release.
Hinteregger continues to distance himself from opinions he believes he does not stand for.
- To clarify it once again: I strongly dissociate myself from intolerant and inhumane views.
Those who know me know about it.
Now I need to get some distance and adjust my life, he says.
Asked the board to break the contract
The Eintracht Frankfurt website describes how Hinteregger informed the board about ending his playing career and breaking the contract, which was signed until 2024. Something that the board agreed to.
- I was thinking about ending my career already last autumn.
I had a tough time on the field, my efforts were shaky.
The gains did not feel as good anymore and each loss hurt twice as much.
But my improvement in the spring and the success in the Europa League made me even more motivated to finish with a great sporting success, says Hinteregger.
Martin Hinteregger played 138 matches for Eintacht Frankfurt.