10. November 2024
Silvan Wallner (foto: Uradni FB/TW/IG profil igralca)
Swiss footballer Silvan Wallner, 22, retired due to religious beliefs preventing him from playing on Saturdays, shocking the Swiss football community.
The Swiss football community was stunned by the news that Silvan Wallner, a former youth international player, has decided to retire from football at just 22 years old. His decision is not due to health issues but is based on religious beliefs. Wallner is a member of the Seventh-day Adventist Church.
This religious group prohibits work on Saturdays, meaning Wallner cannot participate in matches or training on that day. The young defender was recently part of the Austrian first-division team Blau-Weiß Linz and has made three appearances for the Swiss U-21 national team. He joined his club only two months ago.
Previously, Wallner was a member of FC Zürich, and in Austria, he quickly secured a spot in the starting lineup, becoming a regular player this season. “Similar to Judaism, Saturday is considered a day of rest that offers time for communion with God. Work, including playing football, is prohibited,” Swiss media reported.