FCZ champion player resigns due to religious reasons – Varner interviewed

interview

There is no more professional football. 22-year-old Uitiker Silvan Wallner ended his career immediately due to religious reasons. Now, the former FC Zurich and Wel professional has spoken out about his decision for the first time.

Ruedi Burkart / ch media

The news will be officially announced by the Blue and Whites Linz on Sunday. Silvan Wallner, a 22-year-old defender and Swiss U21 national team player, will end his career immediately. «Silvan Wallner has informed the Blue and White Linz that due to personal reasons he feels that he cannot continue his active career as a football player and wishes to end it. To this end, both parties agreed to terminate the contract early. Both parties agreed not to disclose the method of dissolution. ” the Austrian Bundesliga club wrote on its website. In this newspaper, the former FC Uitikon teenager commented publicly for the first time on his extraordinary decision. Varner, who has dual Swiss and Austrian citizenship, has played 51 official games for FC Zurich, In 2022, he won the Swiss Championship with Zurich Club.

Last Friday, at the age of 22, you announced the end of your career as a professional football player with immediate effect. The reason is said to be that you joined the Seventh-day Adventist Free Church. They considered Saturday a sacred day of rest, reserved for communion with God. Saturdays are prohibited from working and, in your case, playing football. What is your comment on this?
Sylvain Varner: I am a devout Christian and rightly so. However, I am not a member of the church. I find reading the Bible very exciting and enriching. It didn’t become the best-selling book in the world for no reason. Over the past few days, I have come to realize that I want to observe biblical days of rest. What this meant for my football career was that I no longer wanted to play professional football on Saturdays.

In September, Varner once again represented the Swiss U21 national team.Image: trapezoid

Opinions came quickly. An unstable young man falls into the clutches of an obscure cult and loses his sense of reality.
I'm surprised by these opinions. Anyone who touches on the topics of Christianity, Free Churches, and denominational distinctions today will quickly realize that many Protestant Free Churches, whether Baptist, Adventist, ICF, or others, are not denominational. I can assure you that I am a sensible young man who will think deeply about his decisions and make them myself. But I know very well that faith is polarizing.

Do they turn your head there?
Even though I have a slight pelvic tilt and arches like many football players, my head still sits like before. (Laughs) No, you see, I'm a person who deals with things consistently and forthrightly according to my beliefs. Again: I am not yet a member of the Free Church, but I am delving into valuable quotes and texts in the Bible and noticing the words of Jesus that are crucial to me. They are just as relevant today. I also see that Protestant movements such as Seventh-day Adventism are very focused on a relationship with Jesus.

In the summer, Varner moved to Blue-White Linz. Image: what/what

As a professional footballer, you invested a lot in your career and at your peak won the Swiss Championship in 2022 with FC Zurich. Last summer you moved from FC Zurich to the Blue and White in your adopted home of Austria to restart your career. Now for the frontal stop. How did your club Linz react to your immediate resignation?
First of all, I have to say that the Blue and White Linz are a great club. I fit right in from the start and was welcomed very pleasantly by the whole staff, the team and the fans. The reaction to my decision to end my career naturally surprised everyone at first. After several conversations I can say that the club showed understanding and treated me in a very professional and humane manner.

Your father Daniel is the former club president of your parent club FC Uitikon and he is proud of what you have achieved in recent years. He has been busy posting news about your career on social media. How did your father react?
I am very close to my father. He was surprised at first, it wasn't easy for him. But he supported my decision because he represented the basic attitude through which everyone can find his or her own relationship with God. And there are no compulsions or restrictions. My father knew that I preferred consistent, decisive action in life.

By now you have made a lot of money as a football player. How do you plan to make a living now?
After graduating from high school, I started a distance learning course, which I will continue for the time being, and of course, to take care of my future employment. I'm not worried because I'm a flexible person.

Werner's contract with FC Zurich runs until this summer.Image: trapezoid

Will you continue to live in Linz or move back to your parents in Uitikon?
I am moving my residence back to Switzerland.

Your WhatsApp profile photo shows you wearing the uniform of the Swiss youth national team. It seems you haven't given up on football completely yet?
Of course I will change the picture. It has been an intense and enlightening period but it has now been put behind the scenes to some extent and I am very grateful to the U-National Team principals for their support and support.

Do you think it's conceivable to resign at some point?
I will never compete professionally again. On the other hand, I will always stay active and play various sports.

Your parent club FC Uitikon will play their fourth league title home match on Sunday at 11am. Are you interested in returning to Sürenloh?
You expressed an interesting idea. Playing for Uitikon is not my priority today. But of course, the following applies: Never say never. (riz/aargauerzeitung.ch)

There is no more professional football. 22-year-old Uitiker Silvan Wallner ended his career immediately due to religious reasons. Now, the former FC Zurich and Wel professional has spoken out about his decision for the first time.

The news will be officially announced by the Blue and Whites Linz on Sunday. Silvan Wallner, a 22-year-old defender and Swiss U21 national team player, will end his career immediately. «Silvan Wallner has informed the Blue and White Linz that due to personal reasons he feels that he cannot continue his active career as a football player and wishes to end it. To this end, both parties agreed to terminate the contract early. Both parties agreed not to disclose the method of dissolution. ” the Austrian Bundesliga club wrote on its website. In this newspaper, the former FC Uitikon teenager commented publicly for the first time on his extraordinary decision. Varner, who has dual Swiss and Austrian citizenship, has played 51 official games for FC Zurich, In 2022, he won the Swiss Championship with Zurich Club.