Austria defender Hinteregger retires aged 29 after backlash over neo-Nazi links and apologises for 'ill-advised words' | The Sun

EINTRACHT FRANKFURT defender Martin Hinteregger has retired from football aged just 29.

The Austrian has called time on his playing career despite remaining a regular for club and country.

Hinteregger has recently faced a fierce backlash after his former business partner Heinrich Sickl's far-right links were revealed.

The centre-back organised a youth tournament in Austrian town Sirnitz alongside Sickl.

Controversial former associate Sickl is alleged to have connections to the far right, having been a member of an Austrian neo-Nazi organisation during the 1990s.

He is also claimed to have rented property to the far-right Identitarian Movement Austria.

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Speaking after the event, Hinteregger said: "I have no knowledge of past or future activities on the part of the Sickl family — I just want a soccer tournament to take place and nothing more.

"Any business relationship with the Sickl family will be terminated with immediate effect due to the current state of knowledge, and the event 'Hinti Cup' will be examined alternatively to clarify a further course of action."

Hinteregger took to Eintracht Frankfurt's website to explain his surprise decision to retire.

He said: "Last autumn I’d already started to think about retiring at the end of the season. I was in a difficult period on the pitch: my performances were shaky.

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"The wins didn’t feel as good anymore, and every defeat hurt twice as much. My improvement in the spring and our joint successes in the Europa League made me even more motivated to bow out with a great sporting success.

"That’s why I enjoyed the Europa League victory so much, because I already knew it would be my last big victory celebration with the fantastic fans in this city, which has become my second home.

"I will think back on my time with Eintracht with only great gratitude and joy, continue to feel closely connected to the club and their fans, and support the team as a fan on their continued journey in Europe.

"I thank my team-mates, the coaching staff, the backroom staff, all the employees and the sporting management for the faith, the support and the wonderful time I’ve experienced here.

"Above all I thank the fans, who have always been behind me, including and especially in difficult times."

Addressing recent controversies, he added: "In the past few weeks, a number of issues have arisen around my 'Hinti Cup', which I have run with passion and the best intentions, the implications of which have only become clear to me in retrospect.

To make it clear once again: I condemn right-wing, intolerant and inhuman ideas in the strongest possible terms

"Some emotional and perhaps ill-advised words from me have caused irritation and I would like to apologise for that. I regret that very much.

"To make it clear once again: I condemn right-wing, intolerant and inhuman ideas in the strongest possible terms. Those who know me know that.

"For now, I need to get some distance and readjust my life. I’m grateful that Eintracht have given me the opportunity to take this step now."

Hinteregger made 188 Bundesliga appearances across spells at Augsburg, Borussia Monchengladbach and Eintracht Frankfurt.

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He also represented Red Bull Salzburg in the Austrian Bundesliga, and won 67 caps for his country.

During his career Hinteregger won four Austrian Bundesliga titles, four Austrian Cups and a Europa League, while he represented his country at Euro 2016 and Euro 2020.

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