“I deeply regret the incident”
Hertha keeper doesn’t have to go to prison after a fight
September 28, 2023, 12:16 p.m
Goalkeeper Marius Gersbeck from Hertha BSC apologizes in court to the victim of the nighttime brawl in Austria. The 28-year-old does not have to go to prison. Diversion occurs during the process. He has to pay 40,000 euros. Hertha is now thinking about a second chance for the keeper.
Hertha goalkeeper Marius Gersbeck does not have to go to prison after the violent incident during the training camp in Austria. After Gersbeck admitted guilt and apologized to the victim in front of the Salzburg regional court, a diversion occurred. This is provided for in Austrian law. The 28-year-old has to pay a fine of 40,000 euros to the Austrian state treasury. This means he is neither convicted nor acquitted. The second division team is now thinking about a second chance.
The Salzburg public prosecutor’s office had brought charges of serious bodily harm, which could have resulted in a prison sentence of between six months and five years. “I deeply regret the incident. I would like to personally apologize to the victim,” Gersbeck said right at the start of the trial. He then apologized to the 22-year-old Austrian with a handshake and added: “I hope that you don’t have any consequential damage.”
Hertha: “Don’t rule out second chances”
The victim of the nighttime brawl in Zell am See on July 16th accepted Gersbeck’s apology, whereupon the judge suggested diversion of the fine as provided for in Austrian law. As a result, possible witnesses were not questioned at all. According to reports, Gersbeck had previously agreed with the victim to pay compensation in order to avoid possible civil litigation. The verdict that has now been passed is not yet legally binding, but an objection by the public prosecutor is considered unlikely.
The serious brawl occurred on the sidelines of Hertha BSC’s training camp. The goalkeeper punched and kicked the victim. As a result, the 22-year-old suffered a fracture of the orbital floor, a fracture of the maxillary sinus wall and an eyelid hematoma, even if only through negligence, as the public prosecutor announced. Hertha BSC suspended the goalkeeper after the incident. It is still unclear what impact the verdict will have on Gersbeck’s future at his Berlin club, but a trend is emerging.
“For us as a club, one thing is clear at the moment: The court apparently viewed the guilt as minimal. Our player was not convicted of a criminal offense and has mutually compensated the injured party,” explained managing director Thomas E. Herrich: “We are taking this situation into account “The interests of all those involved do not mean that Marius Gersbeck will be given a second chance. We will discuss this internally and decide promptly.”
Berlin-born Gersbeck was brought back to his youth club by Karlsruher SC this summer. Because of his close contacts in the fan scene, he is considered a possible identification figure for the so-called Hertha Way, with which the Bundesliga relegated team wants to get out of the sporting and economic crisis.