Hertha goalkeeper Marius Gersbeck does not have to go to prison after the violent incident during the training camp in Austria.
A good two months after the night-time incident at Hertha BSC’s training camp, the proceedings against Hertha keeper Marius Gersbeck before the Salzburg regional court were discontinued after a fine was paid. The goalkeeper has to pay 40,000 euros to the state of Austria. This means he is not considered to have a criminal record.
According to media reports, Gersbeck had previously reached an out-of-court agreement with the alleged victim in order to avoid civil litigation.
Hertha goalkeeper Gersbeck charged with serious bodily harm
On the sidelines of the Hertha training camp in Austria in July, goalkeeper Marius Gersbeck is said to have punched and kicked a man. He has now been charged with aggravated assault. There could be a long prison sentence.more
Neither convicted nor convicted
“I deeply regret the incident. I would like to personally apologize to the victim,” Gersbeck said at the start of the trial on Thursday. He then apologized to the 22-year-old Austrian with a handshake and added: “I hope that you don’t have any consequential damage.”
The victim accepted the goalkeeper’s apology, whereupon the judge suggested diversion with the payment of money, as provided for in Austrian law. The criminal proceedings were then discontinued without a verdict, meaning Gersbeck also avoided a criminal conviction. The decision is not yet final, but an objection from the public prosecutor’s office is considered unlikely.
Victim injured by punches and kicks
The allegations stem from an incident at the second division team’s training camp in Zell am See, Austria. Gersbeck is said to have left the team hotel without permission on the night of July 16th and got into an argument with a man, whom he is said to have subsequently injured with punches and kicks.
According to the public prosecutor’s office, the victim suffered an orbital floor fracture, a maxillary sinus wall fracture and an eyelid hematoma, even if only through negligence. If convicted, Gersbeck would have faced a prison sentence of between six months and five years.
Gersbeck could get a “second chance” at Hertha
Second division soccer team Hertha BSC announced an imminent decision on the goalkeeper’s future at the club. “The court apparently viewed the guilt as only minor. Our player was not convicted of a criminal offense and has mutually compensated the injured party,” managing director Thomas E. Herrich is quoted as saying in the club’s statement. “In this situation, taking into account the interests of everyone involved, we do not rule out that Marius Gersbeck will receive a second chance.”
As soon as there is a decision, the association wants to inform its members via newsletter and on the official communication channels. Gersbeck only returned to his youth club in Berlin in the summer as a beacon of hope from Karlsruher SC.
Broadcast: rbb24, September 28, 2023, 6:00 p.m
