Second division soccer team Hertha BSC has ordered goalkeeper Marius Gersbeck back to the professional squad – a decision that caused incomprehension among numerous members of the Berlin club.
The discussion at Hertha BSC about Marius Gersbeck has not subsided even after the goalkeeper has been reintegrated into the first team. Numerous members announced on social networks that they would be ending their club membership.
“This decision is a disaster for the club. This will cause a lot of problems,” was one of the reactions on the short message service X. “My and my family’s membership has just been canceled,” wrote another.
Hertha BSC reacted and expressed regret: “Every Hertha fan who leaves our club because of this is a great loss for us.” The decision was “not made lightly and for this reason legal assessments were obtained from a criminal lawyer and a labor lawyer,” the Berliners also said on X.
The club is aware “that the entire debate about his misconduct is being discussed very emotionally. In this case, unfortunately, there is no decision that all Herthaners can rally behind.” Gersbeck deserves a “second chance,” according to the club’s line.
This was meanwhile supported by numerous other Hertha fans on X. “With its punishment, a court should ensure that the perpetrator pays for his crime and that there is no repetition. I think his commitment before the trial sufficiently demonstrated that he learned from it,” was one of the positive reactions on the decision of the second division team.
Hertha BSC imposes “heavy fine”
The Berliners announced on Monday that the 28-year-old Gersbeck would be allowed to work under head coach Pál Dárdai again during the international break.
Gersbeck had confessed in court that he had injured a 22-year-old in a nighttime brawl on the sidelines of the Hertha training camp in July. The proceedings ended last week as part of a so-called diversion. The Hertha goalkeeper was sentenced to a fine of 40,000 euros in the Salzburg regional court after admitting guilt and apologizing to the victim.
He also reached an out-of-court agreement with the injured party. He is not considered to have a criminal record.
Hertha managing director Tom Herrich explained: “His suspension will be lifted, but he will receive a warning and a heavy fine from the club. In addition, Marius has committed himself to becoming socially active from now on in order to pass on his experiences from this misconduct.”