urgent tech help

[pumpaction]

hello all
have finally tracked down an annoying rattle in my recently acquired s3 8v and now am at a loss as to what this part is and its function.
it was behind the plastic panel by the drivers right knee,the one that covers the diagnostic port. have managed to undo the 2 bolts on the bottom edge of the panel but cannot work out how to remove so i can get behind to see whats what,so 2 questions
1...what is this piece and
2...how to remove this panel...i notice its got an airbag behind it so i dont want to set this off!! is there some hidden clips?
any help appreciated as i am going on a long trip tomorrow morning and would like to resolve this. cheers.

 

[george forbes]

Unexpected item in the footwell area

Whilst driving my 2017 280 hatch for the first time since lockdown earlier today, I felt a slight tap on the top of my right foot. The item below (marked with VAG part no. 5Q2721431) had fallen onto my foot and I subsequently recovered it from the driver’s footwell. Googling, it transpires that t...

www.briskoda.net

 

[george forbes]

Google Lens is your friend.

 

[george forbes]

https://skoda.7zap.com/en/cz/octavia/oct/2015-753/7/721-721070/ Item No 22

 

[pumpaction]

thank you george for your reply and diagram. still not been able to see where this fits without tearing the car apart or ending up in traction.
further research indicates the part is not critical so i will reluctantly place in the glove box and hope my brake pedal doesnt fall off.
thanks again