By Konstantin Marrach
On Thursday, the Salzburg regional court spoke of a “crime” that the Hertha keeper had committed, but discontinued the proceedings against a payment of 40,000 euros. Shortly afterwards, Hertha managing director Thomas Herrich caused outrage when he stated that the court had “apparently viewed the guilt as minimal”. A difficult statement from Herrich to the victim (22), who was in a clinic with multiple injuries and was on sick leave for weeks.
In the course of this statement, the Hertha managing director also indicated that he might give the goalkeeper, who is currently suspended, a second chance at the club. The Gersbeck case is once again being discussed extremely controversially on social media.
This is what the fans say about the deal in the beating trial and a possible rehabilitation!
A user writes on Facebook: “He transferred the 40k straight away and reconciled with the victim. What else should he be punished for?”
“He’s no longer good as a role model”
Another fan replies: “He’s definitely no longer good as a role model. And what kind of fatal signal is this to the next generation if someone like that is now allowed to act again as if nothing had happened? In my opinion it is no longer acceptable for Hertha.”
A user on Twitter expressed similar concerns: “I stand on the football field with young people week after week, and one of our main tasks is now to prevent violence, bullying, etc. What argument do I have in the next training? When the kids say that the grown-ups can do it too.”
The judge had shown leniency because Gersbeck had no previous convictions, fully confessed to the crime, apologized to the victim and had already paid the seriously injured man six-figure compensation.
Marius Gersbeck has been suspended from Hertha since July 17th Photo: picture alliance/dpa
Regarding possible rehabilitation, another user says: “On the club side, another decent fine (approx. 80-100k) to a non-profit organization and, if necessary, participation in events on the topic of violence. Then, in my opinion, he would have been rehabilitated.” And he emphasizes: “That was a big deal and did enormous damage to the club.”
Another fan said: “I think a society that has no room for forgiveness for people who mess up and regret it isn’t a really good one. He should be given a second chance to earn a place in the squad.”
One user, however, writes: “Guilt is guilt. I’m sorry for him, but get out! I was deeply disappointed.”
And a fan posts: “I hope that Marius Gersbeck decides to explain himself to the fans and members in some way. Backroom agreements and waiting until the matter has settled will in no way strengthen trust in the club’s management.”
Another user is obviously so disappointed with the club’s handling of the Gersbeck case that he posted a letter of termination of his membership at Hertha…
A look at social media ultimately shows that opinions are extremely divided. Unity in the fan camp is unlikely to be achieved. Just as little as in the committees, which Thomas Herrich and Hertha President Kay Bernstein had repeatedly mentioned as a prerequisite for Gersbeck returning to the team…