Hockey fans here in Slovenia are extremely frustrated with the continuous Austrian sided referree decisions. More and more people believe that these referree decisions are supported and sometimes even encoureged by the league itself who wants to have all Austrian clubs in the playoffs. Then there's the also the disciplinary commission with unreasonably severe suspensions for players of non-austrian clubs (Alba case & Hebar, etc.). All Slovenian hockey fans also rememberer the 2007/08 season where with the momentum they had, Olimpija began the final series against Salzburg in style, taking a 3–1 lead and standing just one step from the trophy. Then, out of the blue and barely two hours before the crucial fifth match, came the news that "due to an administrative error, Olimpija is stripped of the third win".
There are more and more hockey fans who no longer go to the EBEL games and there are more and more people who think Jesenice and Olimpija should left EBEL and make a seperate league with Medvescak, Sapa, Partizan and some other Slovenian and Hungarian teams, and maybe also with Italian clubs.
I am huge EBEL fan, i think EBEL is the best possible league for all of us, fans, players and sponsors, so i really hope this scenario won't happen, but i do think that EBEL must react as soon as possible and make the necessery steps to ensure equall treatment for non-Austrian clubs in the league. I still believe that equall standards for non Austrian clubs is what EBEL truly strives for, but i'm in the distinct minority here.