Does the BSC still have to bleed?
Regional court dismisses Bobic’s lawsuit in the dispute with Hertha
February 19, 2024, 5:56 p.m
Hertha BSC is pleased with a partial verdict: the Berlin regional court dismissed a lawsuit brought by former managing director Fredi Bobic against his termination a year ago. But the dispute is not over: Another negotiation is about threats, secret documents – and a severance payment.
In the dispute over the termination between the second division soccer team Hertha BSC and its former managing director Fredi Bobic, the Berlin Regional Court confirmed the ordinary termination against the former professional in a so-called partial judgment. Bobic’s lawsuit against this termination was dismissed after a hearing. According to the Chamber of Commercial Matters, the service contract between the parties was terminated by ordinary termination on April 30, 2023.
The court has not yet made a decision on the question of whether the service contract was terminated by an extraordinary termination given by the club on February 10, 2023. The trial will continue with another oral hearing and a hearing of evidence on May 27th in the Berlin Regional Court. Then Bobic will probably appear in person.
Threats and secret documents
According to the “Bild” newspaper, Hertha’s lawyers had presented allegations in court that morning: the alleged threat to an RBB reporter after an interview and the possible passing on of secret documents. If Bobic’s lawsuit against the extraordinary termination is successful, he would probably be entitled to wage payments and severance pay.
The partial judgment regarding the ordinary termination from January 2023 is not yet legally binding; an appeal against it can be lodged with the Court of Appeal within one month of delivery of the written reasons for the judgment.
Bobic filed a lawsuit against his dismissal at the labor court in February 2023. However, the negotiation scheduled for the beginning of April 2023 was canceled. Hertha BSC had claimed that the labor court had no jurisdiction.
At the time of the extraordinary termination, Hertha was in relegation place. When the ordinary termination took place on April 30, 2023, the BSC was in last place in the Bundesliga table. A few weeks later, the capital club was relegated to the lower house, where it is currently fighting for promotion.